Cabinet Office

Veterans: Cost of Living

Steve McCabe: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what financial support his Department is providing to help veterans with the cost of living.

Johnny Mercer: This Government has successfully reduced inflation by more than half, which will make the cost of living more affordable for veterans along with every other resident in the UK. We’re also getting support directly to those who need it, with the £104 billion Cost of Living package worth an average £3,800 per household. Veterans’ employment is at an all-time high, with 89% of those leaving service finding employment within six months, but we're determined to go further. That is why we recently launched OP PROSPER, our dedicated employment pathway for veterans, alongside introducing a 12-month National Insurance relief to eligible employers recruiting veterans in their first civilian role after service.

Ministers: Codes of Practice

Nick Thomas-Symonds: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent progress his Department has made on introducing a deed of undertaking to make the requirements of the Business Appointment Rules enforceable for Ministers.

Alex Burghart: The Government expects all former Ministers to abide by their obligations with regard to the Business Appointment Rules, as set out in the Ministerial Code. The work to develop a ministerial deed is ongoing and an update will be made in due course.

Government Departments: ICT

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which legacy IT systems across Government were identified as red-rated by the Central Digital and Data Office.

Alex Burghart: It would be inappropriate to release sensitive information held about specific red-rated systems within departmental IT estates, or information that could allow the assumption of which systems are at risk, as it could highlight potential security weaknesses. The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), in the Cabinet Office, has established a programme to support departments in treating legacy. CDDO has agreed a framework to identify ‘red-rated’ systems, indicating high levels of risk surrounding assets. Departments have committed to have remediation plans in place for these systems by next year.

Cabinet Office: Visits Abroad

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's data entitled Cabinet Office ministerial overseas travel, July to September 2023, published on 21 March 2024, how much of the £28,700 costs incurred by the Deputy Prime Minister for his visit to New York from 19 to 23 September 2023 were attributable to his share of the £192,198 costs of the RAF flight used for that visit.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's data entitled Cabinet Office ministerial overseas travel, July to September 2023, published on 21 March 2024, whether the £192,198 cost of the RAF flight used for the journey to New York on 19 September 2023 includes the costs arising from the movement of military personnel between the UK and the USA on that flight.

Alex Burghart: The total cost of the RAF flight used for the journey to New York on 19 September 2023 includes the costs arising from the movement of military personnel. Costs for the full trip were outlined in the ministerial travel data entitled Cabinet Office ministerial overseas travel, July to September 2023, published on 21 March 2024.

Electronic Government

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Government has spent on the GOV.UK One Login customer support centre in the 2023-24 financial year, as of 26 March 2024.

Alex Burghart: GOV.UK One Login’s customer support centre went live on 31 October 2023. The Government Digital Service has, as of 26 March 2024, spent £926,443 to set up and operate this contact centre. The public expects quick, secure and user-friendly access to government services. Previously, UK citizens and residents needed to grapple with multiple sign-in methods and identity verification routes when using government services online. GOV.UK One Login is replacing these duplicative systems across government with a single account and identity checking system. This will make it easier for users to access the services they need, reduce costs to government, and provide stronger protections against fraud.

Electronic Government

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people have contacted the gov.uk One Login customer support centre (a) by phone and (b) via the online contact form in the 2023-24 financial year.

Alex Burghart: The GOV.UK One Login customer support centre went live on 31 October 2023. Between that date and 25 March 2024 (inclusive), it has handled a total of 21,623 support calls and managed 12,585 support requests via online forms and emails. From 16 April 2024, users will also have the option of using WebChat to seek support. The public expects quick, secure and user-friendly access to government services. Previously, UK citizens and residents needed to grapple with multiple sign-in methods and identity verification routes when using government services online. GOV.UK One Login is replacing these duplicative systems across government with a single account and identity checking system. This will make it easier for users to access the services they need, reduce costs to government, and provide stronger protections against fraud.

Electronic Government: Proof of Identity

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Government has spent on in-person identity checks for GOV.UK One Login identity verification as of 26 March 2024.

Alex Burghart: GOV.UK One Login’s face-to-face identity verification route went live on 25 July 2023. The Government Digital Service has, as of 26 March 2024, spent £778,064 on the contract with the Post Office to set up and undertake in-person identity checks. The public expects quick, secure and user-friendly access to government services. Previously, UK citizens and residents needed to grapple with multiple sign-in methods and identity verification routes when using government services online. GOV.UK One Login is replacing these duplicative systems across government with a single account and identity checking system. This will make it easier for users to access the services they need, reduce costs to government, and provide stronger protections against fraud.

Electronic Government: Proof of Identity

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people verified their identity for GOV.UK One Login by (a) using the GOV.UK ID Check app, (b) answering security questions online and (c) visiting a Post Office in each month between August 2023 and March 2024.

Alex Burghart: Between 1 August 2023 and 26 March 2024, the number of users who successfully verified their identity through GOV.UK One Login is as follows:  Aug ‘23Sep ‘23Oct ‘23Nov ‘23Dec ‘23Jan ‘24Feb ‘24Mar ‘24TotalGOV.UK ID Check App205,864204,652217,962214,731183,075342,315258,010217,0061,843,615Web browser route, with security questions7,0095,9386,6879,2975,94412,1164,1742,63653,801In-person at the Post Office1245115441,0087751,7002,2741,6208,556 The public expects quick, secure and user-friendly access to government services. Previously, UK citizens and residents needed to grapple with multiple sign-in methods and identity verification routes when using government services online. GOV.UK One Login is replacing these duplicative systems across government with a single account and identity checking system. This will make it easier for users to access the services they need, reduce costs to government, and provide stronger protections against fraud.

Boris Johnson

Nick Thomas-Symonds: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will hold discussions with Boris Johnson on the requirements upon him under the business appointment rules to make applications to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, in the context of his role with Merlyn Advisors.

Alex Burghart: The Government expects all former Ministers to abide by their obligations with regard to the Business Appointment Rules, as set out in the Ministerial Code. The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments writes to the Government if they consider there to have been a breach of the Rules.

Blood: Contamination

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to expedite compensation for those affected by the infected blood scandal.

John Glen: The Government will respond in full to Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations on compensation following the publication of the Inquiry’s final report. Additionally, we will bring forward amendments at Report Stage of the Victims and Prisoners Bill in the Other Place with the intention of speeding up the implementation of the Government’s response to the Infected Blood Inquiry.

Civil Servants: Location

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of full-time equivalent civil service roles were located outside London in each quarter from Q2 2020 to Q3 2023.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of full-time equivalent civil service roles other than Senior Civil Service were located outside London in each quarter from Q2 2020 to Q3 2023.

John Glen: Information on the number of roles, including those vacant, is not available centrally. Only the number of employees ‘in post’ is available. The number and proportion of full-time equivalent civil servants employed and located in London and outside London between Q1 (March) 2020 and Q3 (September) 2023 is available in Table 1 below, and the number excluding ‘SCS level’ employees can be found in Table 2 below. This data refers to the number of employees ‘in post’ at each reference date. Information for Q2 (June) 2020 is not centrally available. Data has, therefore, been provided for Q1 (March) and Q3 (September) 2020.Table 1: Number of Civil Servants in London and Outside London, Q1 (Mar) 2020 to Q3 (Sep) 2023 PeriodLondon (FTE)Outside London (FTE)Location not reported/ Known (FTE)Total (FTE)% FTE Outside London (where location known)Q1 (Mar) 202087,815332,5253,430423,77579.1%Q3 (Sep) 202089,680335,6655,445430,78578.9%Q4 (Dec) 202095,460342,4803,465441,40578.2%Q1 (Mar) 202198,000351,1853,645452,83078.2%Q2 (Jun) 202199,550355,21010,260465,01578.1%Q3 (Sep) 2021100,015362,6359,880472,53078.4%Q4 (Dec) 2021101,840369,5504,085475,47578.4%Q1 (Mar) 2022100,955373,8953,235478,08578.7%Q2 (Jun) 2022100,130375,2153,235478,58078.9%Q3 (Sep) 202299,800378,1602,950480,91579.1%Q4 (Dec) 2022100,230380,5502,825483,61079.2%Q1 (Mar) 202399,790385,2202,660487,66579.4%Q2 (Jun) 202399,405387,5002,505489,41079.6%Q3 (Sep) 2023100.570392,9552,585496,11079.6%Sources and notes:March 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023: Annual Civil Service Employment Survey, Cabinet OfficeSeptember/December/June 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023: Quarterly Location Survey, Cabinet OfficeFigures include where grade is unknown/unreportedOutside London includes civil servants located overseas.The increase in unreported location at Q2 and Q3 2021 is mainly attributable to around 7,000 Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) staff being transferred into MOJ (HMPPS) in late June 2021, with the majority being reported with an unknown location at Q2 and Q3 2021. Table 2: Number of Civil Servants (excluding SCS level) in London and Outside London, Q1 (Mar) 2020 to Q3 (Sep) 2023PeriodLondon (FTE)Outside London (FTE)Location not reported/ Known (FTE)Total (FTE)% FTE Outside London (where location known)Q1 (Mar) 202083,810330,3203,415417,54579.8%Q3 (Sep) 202085,585333,5105,165424,25579.6%Q4 (Dec) 202091,065340,0753,450434,59078.9%Q1 (Mar) 202193,475348,6803,620445,77578.9%Q2 (Jun) 202195,185352,81010,240458,23578.8%Q3 (Sep) 202195,630360,1309,850465,61079.0%Q4 (Dec) 202197,445366.7654,045468,25079.0%Q1 (Mar) 202296,625371,2503,215471,09079.3%Q2 (Jun) 202295,840372,5253,210471,58079.5%Q3 (Sep) 202295,355375,3152,925473,60079.7%Q4 (Dec) 202296,000377,7802,810476,59079.7%Q1 (Mar) 202395,530382,3552,645480,52580.0%Q2 (Jun) 202395,200384,6152,490482,30580.2%Q3 (Sep) 202396,335390,0702,570488,98080.2% Sources and notes:March 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023: Annual Civil Service Employment Survey, Cabinet OfficeSeptember/December/June 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023: Quarterly Location Survey, Cabinet OfficeFigures include where grade is unknown/unreported.Outside London includes civil servants located overseas.The increase in unreported location at Q2 and Q3 2021 is mainly attributable to around 7,000 Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) staff being transferred into MOJ (HMPPS) in late June 2021 and with the majority of them not being reported with a known location at Q2 and Q3 2021.

Government Departments: Public Expenditure

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's report entitled Evaluation Task Force Output and Outcome Indicators (March 2024), published on 22 March 2024, how many and what proportion of Evaluation Accelerator Fund projects were rated (a) amber and (b) red as of 1 March 2024.

John Glen: The Evaluation Task Force (ETF) committed to publicly report on a series of output and outcome indicators in response to recommendations featured in the ‘Evaluating Government Spending’ NAO report in 2022 and the Public Accounts Committee’s recommendation for the ETF to establish quantifiable metrics on the scale and quality of evaluation across government. The indicators are not wholly controlled or ‘owned’ by the ETF. Driving progress towards the targets outlined in the ETF strategy are dependent on cross-government partners working together to build an improved evaluation ecosystem which creates more and higher quality evaluation in government. All information related to the proportion of projects rated Red, Amber, Green across Evaluation Accelerator Fund and ETF priority projects are included in the Technical Annex published alongside the main output and outcome indicator report. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-task-force-output-and-outcome-indicators-march-2024 For completeness, the table below outlines the number and proportion of projects that were rated Red, Amber, Green across both indicators related to this PQ. Please note these figures have been recently updated and are now included on the ETF website.  Project RAG ratings (number and proportion)IndicatorGREENAMBERRED1.4 Proportion of Evaluation Accelerator Fund projects on track (RAG rated 'Green')11 (58%)6 (32%)2 (10%)1.6 Proportion of ETF priority projects with robust evaluation plans (cumulative)13 (62%)7 (33%)1 (5%)

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Neale Hanvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many of the reports in relation to (a) fatal outcomes and (b) adverse reactions in patients who have received a COVID-19 vaccine received by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency under its statutory function to operate a system of post marketing surveillance were judged as (i) likely, (ii) possibly and (iii) unlikely to have been caused by Covid-19 vaccine; and how many such reports lacked sufficient information to make a judgement.

Maria Caulfield: While the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency carefully assesses Yellow Card reports of suspected adverse reactions, including those with a fatal outcome, to determine whether additional information is required to facilitate assessment of the link between a medicine and the reported adverse event, they do not assign causality at the level of individual reports.Cumulatively, Yellow Card data is thoroughly analysed for patterns or evidence which might suggest a causal link between the vaccination and the reported reaction, alongside other relevant data. In relation to fatal reports, it is the role of a Coroner to determine the likely cause of death for an individual.

NHS: Agency Workers

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much NHS England spent on agency staff in each year since 2010.

Andrew Stephenson: The first full financial year for which NHS England was in existence, as the NHS Commissioning Board, was 2013/14. NHS England only holds information on agency spend in combination with other commissioning bodies, for instance integrated care boards, formerly known as clinical commissioning groups. The following table shows the total spent on agency staff in NHS England and the commissioning bodies, each year since 2013/14 to 2022/23:YearSpend2013/14£240,000,0002014/15£300,000,0002015/16£310,000,0002016/17£270,000,0002017/18£190,000,0002018/19£160,000,0002019/20£130,000,0002020/21£160,000,0002021/22£160,000,0002022/23£210,000,000

Horses: Slaughterhouses

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many horses were slaughtered in abattoirs in (a) 2022 and (b) 2023.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will publish a breakdown by passport issuing agency of horses slaughtered in abattoirs in (a) 2022 and (b) 2023.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will publish a breakdown by passport issuing agency and age of horses slaughtered in abattoirs in (a) 2022 and (b) 2023.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many equines with passports issued by Weatherbys passport issuing agencies were registered as being in training when they were slaughtered in (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023.

Andrea Leadsom: 548 horses were slaughtered in 2022, and 721 horses were slaughtered in 2023. Tables showing the number of horses slaughtered in abattoirs in 2022 and 2023 by passport issuing agency and age are attached, due to the size of the data. The information requested on the number of equines registered as being in training when slaughtered is not held.PQ20346-49 tables (docx, 71.9KB)

Patients: Medical Treatments

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether all NHS hospitals provide the right for patients to choose where they receive treatment; and whether this right is affected by where a patient lives.

Andrew Stephenson: In England, the NHS Constitution allows patients to be treated by any provider who holds a contract for the provision of National Health Services. This includes the independent sector, who already hold multiple contracts with integrated care boards (ICBs) across the country to provide additional capacity to the NHS.Last year, the Government set out how it will make it easier for patients to exercise their choice by improving the NHS App, increasing choice for patients already on waiting lists, and raising awareness of patients’ right to choose.At the point of referral, for example at a general practice appointment, patients will be actively offered a list of providers which are clinically appropriate for their condition. This will be a minimum of five providers where possible. Patients will also be informed of their right to choose, and encouraged to raise this at the time of the referral.Patients can be referred to services outside of their local ICB geography when exercising their legal right of choice of provider and team, if the service meets the criteria to be an appropriate choice for patients. Where there is limited choice in the local vicinity or region of a patient, alternative national providers will be offered.

Food Standards Agency: Pay

Matt Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the pay ranges at each grade are for Food Standards Agency staff based (a) in and (b) outside London.

Andrea Leadsom: The Food Standards Agency salary structure and ranges for 2023/24 effective from 1 August 2023 are available at the following link:https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/fsa-salary-structureThe then Minister for the Cabinet Office and HM Paymaster General, the Rt Hon Jeremy Quin MP laid a written statement (HCWS940) on 13 July 2023 which outlined the pay ranges for senior civil servants from 1 April 2023.

Breast Cancer: Screening

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department plans to take to increase breast screening uptake; how much funding she plans to make available for the breast screening uptake improvement plan developed by NHS England; and what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the breast screening programme.

Andrew Stephenson: The Government is committed to improving uptake in the NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHS BSP), and is working with NHS England on the development of the breast screening improvement plan.At this time, NHS England has not requested any additional funding to support the delivery of the breast screening improvement plan. Assessment of the effectiveness of the NHS BSP is made through the regular accountability meetings, under the Public Health Functions Section 7A Agreement.

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency: Pay

Matt Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the pay ranges at each grade are for Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency staff based (a) in and (b) outside London.

Andrew Stephenson: The following tables show the pay ranges for each grade for both London and National staff, and the Senior Civil Service’s maximum and minimum pay band, respectively: London RatesNational Rates MinimumMaximumMinimumMaximumGrade 6£70,011£78,548£66,261£74,798Grade 7£56,353£63,403£52,603£59,653Senior Executive Officer£42,869£47,948£39,119£44,198Higher Executive Officer£34,841£39,109£31,090£35,359Executive Officer£31,064£31,064£27,314£27,314Administrative Officer£27,469£27,469£23,719£23,719Administrative Assistant£23,875£23,875£20,125£20,125  MinimumMaximumSenior Civil Service pay band 3£127,000£208,100Senior Civil Service pay band 2£97,000£162,500Senior Civil Service pay band 1£75,000£117,800

Cancer and Public Health

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2024 to Question 11063 on Cancer and Public Health, what steps the Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care can take in the event that key deliverables on cancer screening under section 7A are not being delivered.

Andrew Stephenson: As the Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care, I have the ability to request improvement plans, trajectories, and regular meetings with NHS England, where key deliverables on any screening programme are not met.

Rare Diseases: Drugs

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many appraisals for medicines to treat very rare diseases were started through the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence highly specialised technology programme in each financial year since 2018-19.

Andrew Stephenson: The following table from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) shows the number of highly specialised technology evaluations that started in each year since 2018/2019:YearInvitations To Participate2018/1942019/2022020/2132021/2272022/2382023/244Total28Note: The term started has been defined as when the NICE sent the invitation to participate.

Kidney Diseases: Research

Kirsten Oswald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the cost to the public purse was of Government investment into kidney disease research in 2022-23; and which public bodies provided this investment.

Andrew Stephenson: Over the period of 2022/23, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has invested more than £3.9 million in funding and support for kidney disease research. Research into kidney disease has included, but is not limited to, projects exploring the multimorbidity of kidney disease and other conditions, predicting the risk of kidney failure for patients with chronic kidney disease in the United Kingdom, and assessing new diagnostic techniques.The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including kidney disease. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made based on the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.

NHS: Leadership

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the accountability of NHS leaders.

Andrew Stephenson: Systems and processes are already in place to ensure the accountability of National Health Service Directors. NHS England has strengthened these through the introduction of the Fit and Proper Person (FPP) Framework. This introduces a set of standard competencies for board Directors, a means of retaining information regarding individual Directors, and a new board member reference template. The framework is effective from 30 September 2023, and should be implemented by all boards by 31 March 2024.NHS England has reminded all NHS organisations of their obligations not to appoint any individual as a board Director unless they satisfy all FPP requirements, including that they have not been responsible for, been privy to, contributed to, or facilitated any serious misconduct or mismanagement. The Department and NHS England are considering whether further mechanisms are needed to hold senior NHS managers accountable, including the possibility of a disbarring system.

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman: NHS

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make representations to Cabinet colleagues on enabling the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to initiate investigations into the NHS.

Maria Caulfield: Whilst responsibility for any changes to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) lies with the Cabinet Office, we are not persuaded about the need for the PHSO to initiate investigations into the National Health Service. This could result in reduced contact with individual complainants, reduced PHSO capacity to handle individual complaints, increased costs, and the potential for the PHSO to stray into policy matters and duplicate the work of the Select Committee. The PHSO may already investigate systemic issues where individual complaints suggest more widespread problems and the healthcare system itself already includes organisations that can initiate investigations, including the Health Services Safety Investigations Body, who investigate patient safety concerns across England to improve NHS care at a national level.

NHS: Leadership

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what her planned timetable is to respond to the report entitled Leadership for a collaborative and inclusive future, published on 8 June 2022.

Andrew Stephenson: Leadership for a Collaborative and Inclusive Future made seven recommendations, which were accepted by the Government. NHS England is leading on implementation of all seven recommendations, with progress made on all the recommendations, and is working in partnership with Skills for Care, where they apply to the social care workforce.A Review Implementation Office (RIO), comprising of stakeholders from across the Department, NHS England, NHS Employers, Skills for Care, and local government, is providing oversight for the implementation of recommendations one and two, which apply across both health and social care.

Cancer: Screening

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2024, how frequently the Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health, Start of for Life and Primary Car meet to discuss arrangements under section 7A for cancer screening; and on what date they last discussed that matter.

Andrew Stephenson: Arrangements under the section 7A agreement are negotiated at an official level. Health ministers are sighted in these arrangements, and have the opportunity to steer the process, usually feeding in through their private offices.

Diabetes: Insulin

Matt Western: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to ensure people with diabetes can continue to access the insulin they need.

Andrew Stephenson: We are aware of supply issues with some insulin products, however the vast majority are in stock. Comprehensive management guidance on alternative products has been issued to the National Health Service where needed.The medicine supply chain is highly regulated, complex, and global. Supply disruption is an issue which affects the United Kingdom, as well as the other countries around the world, and it can have a variety of causes, including manufacturing issues, problems with access to raw ingredients, and sudden spikes in demand. There is a team within the Department that deals specifically with medicine supply problems. It has well-established tools and processes to manage medicine supply issues, working closely with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the pharmaceutical industry, NHS England, and others operating in the supply chain, to help prevent shortages and expedite resupply as soon as possible, to ensure that the risks to patients are minimised.

NHS England: Equality

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people are employed by NHS England in roles relating to equality, diversity and inclusivity as of 26 March 2024.

Andrew Stephenson: There are 51 staff with equality, diversity, or inclusion in their job title at NHS England, as of 26 February 2024. This covers a wide range of roles both supporting NHS England as an employer, and facing the wider National Health Service system, with some of these roles also covering other areas of NHS policy. NHS England has reduced the number of roles focused on equality, diversity and inclusion as part of its merger with NHS Digital and Health Education England. The roles that remain are essential to helping the NHS meet its legal duties in the Equality Act 2010 and the principles that guide the NHS Constitution. This includes overseeing statutory programmes that are focused on tackling discrimination by some staff which includes disabled staff, as well as roles dealing with the sexual safety of staff and patients in the NHS.

NHS: Disclosure of Information

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will bring forward legislation to protect whistleblowers in the NHS complaints process.

Maria Caulfield: The Government recognises how valuable it is that whistleblowers can shine a light on wrongdoing, and believes that they should be able to do so without fear of recriminations. There are legal provisions within the Public Interest and Disclosure Act 1998 that protect workers against detrimental treatment for speaking up in the public interest. In March 2023, the Department for Business and Trade announced a review of the whistleblowing framework, which aims to examine the effectiveness of the framework in meeting its original objectives, which are to facilitate whistleblowing, protect whistleblowers against detriment and dismissal, and to facilitate wider cultural change around whistleblowing. The review is still ongoing, and the Government will publish the evidence, and set out the next steps this year.

Lyme Disease: Health Services

Sir Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to (a) promote better awareness within the NHS of the symptoms of Lyme disease and (b) speed up (i) testing and (ii) analysis of test results for Lyme disease.

Maria Caulfield: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS) are specifically aimed at general practices (GPs), and cover the availability of testing services. The entomology group in the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also has a tick awareness scheme, which sends out information on avoiding tick bites in a spring campaign, and supports local authorities in areas with a high prevalence of Lyme disease. Further information on Lyme disease, access to testing, and the NICE’s CKS’ is available respectively at the links below:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lyme-disease-guidance-data-and-analysishttps://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng95https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/lyme-disease/management/management/All confirmatory testing in England is performed by the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL). Delays may occur in the referring laboratory when submitting the sample, during testing at the RIPL, or when accessing the results, which are sent back electronically, before being passed onto GPs. Only the RIPL is within the UKHSA’s control, and the RIPL is planning to introduce new technology to speed up tests for neuroborreliosis.National data analysis is released through the Fingertips system, which is regularly updated. The annual number of cases of Lyme disease varies from year to year, depending on weather conditions in the Lyme season, the effects of weather and human activities on animals that harbor the disease, and the tick population. Further information on the Fingertips system is available at the following link: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/health-protection/data

Hospitals: York

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has had recent discussions with York District Hospital on the potential merits of building a new hospital in York in the next 15 years.

Andrew Stephenson: The Secretary of State has not had discussions with York District Hospital on the potential merits of building a new hospital in York.No expressions of interest were received from York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in respect of York District Hospital to join the New Hospital Programme. Going forward, new schemes will be considered through a rolling programme of capital investment in hospital infrastructure, with details to be agreed periodically to provide greater future certainty. The government will set out robust plans at future Spending Reviews, including when and how it will seek to invite further projects to join the New Hospital Programme and other major capital investment opportunities.

Rare Diseases: Drugs

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence next plans to review the entry criteria for its highly specialised technologies programme for the evaluation medicines to treat very rare diseases.

Andrew Stephenson: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence plans to review the criteria for determining whether a medicine should be routed to its highly specialised technologies programme later this year.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the uptake of the cervical cancer vaccine.

Maria Caulfield: The routine human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme for adolescents offers a life-saving vaccine to all children in Year 8, to protect them against strains of HPV that can cause some cancers including cervical, anal, head, and neck. High-risk HPV DNA is found in over 99% of all cervical cancers. The UKHSA monitors uptake of the adolescent HPV vaccination programme, and publishes annual statistics for England and the United Kingdom, with further information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/human-papillomavirus-hpv-vaccine-coverage-estimates-in-england-2022-to-2023This data is used by local NHS Screening and Immunisation Teams to develop local plans to improve uptake and reduce inequalities, in collaboration with key partners such as directors of public health, and their teams in local authorities. Publication of statistical data also generates national communication activity, to raise awareness and improve uptake.

Cancer and Public Health

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to then Answer of 30 January 2024 to Question 11063 on Cancer and Public Health, whether the Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care participates in NHS Public Health Functions Agreement accountability meetings.

Andrew Stephenson: NHS England is currently held to account for the delivery of National Health Service public health functions through Director General-led accountability meetings, supplemented with an annual ministerial accountability meeting.The annual ministerial NHS public health functions accountability meeting with NHS England is chaired by the minister with responsibility for public health. Other Department ministers with responsibility for relevant programmes are invited to attend, or to feed views into the discussion via the lead minister.As the Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care, I now have responsibility for screening, and engage with the national screening programme performance outside these meetings.

Opioids: Overdoses

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department is collating data from toxicology reports of non-fatal overdose incidents to assess the risk from synthetic opioids.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government is undertaking a number of actions to address the risk that synthetic opioids pose. The Department has a longstanding surveillance system in place to collect information on the nature and location of novel drug use, drug markets, and reports alerting us to drug harms experienced. We continue to monitor the threat posed by synthetic opioids, and are working to improve drug surveillance on synthetic opioids through the development of an early warning system. This will include, with the permission of coroners, toxicology results for fatal overdose cases from across England as soon as the information is available, enabling the Department to closely monitor the substances causing deaths. We know that most overdoses take place when individuals are alone, or accompanied by others also using drugs. This means they are largely transitory and hidden events, with no opportunity for sampling. A key indicator, therefore, is those who do come into contact with first responders, who are administered the lifesaving opioid reversal drug naloxone, or who are admitted to hospital. Ambulance data represents an opportunity for rapidly identifying local spikes in overdoses and, for this purpose, we are establishing data feeds with ambulance trusts in England, on callouts where naloxone has been administered.

Cremation: Babies

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether there are contracts for the cremation of (a) stillborns, (b) miscarriages and (c) baby deaths at a (i) national and (ii) NHS trust level; and if she will publish (A) details and (B) the start dates of those contracts.

Maria Caulfield: Neither the Department nor NHS England holds information on contracts for the cremation of stillborns, miscarriages, and baby deaths.

Autism and Learning Disability: Housing

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to enable adults with (a) learning disabilities and (b) autism living in in-patient units to live independently.

Maria Caulfield: We are taking action to support timely discharges of people with a learning disability and autistic people from mental health inpatient services, and to support them in leading ordinary lives in their communities. In January 2024, we published guidance which sets out key principles for how National Health Service bodies and local authorities should work together to support people to be discharged from mental health inpatient services.To improve community support, in 2023/24 we invested an additional £121 million as part of the NHS Long Term Plan, including funding for children and young people’s keyworkers. The Building the Right Support Action Plan, published in July 2022, sets out cross-Government actions to strengthen community support and reduce reliance on mental health inpatient care for people with a learning disability and autistic people.As set out in NHS England statutory guidance published on 9 May 2023, we expect integrated care boards to assign an executive lead role for learning disability and autism to a suitable board member. The named lead will support the board in planning to meet the needs of its local population of autistic people and people with a learning disability.

Hospices: Finance

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much funding her Department has provided to hospices in each of the last three financial years.

Helen Whately: Since 2020 NHS England has provided hospices with over £350 million nationally, to secure and increase National Health Service capacity and to support hospital discharge. In addition, since 2021/22, nearly £63 million has been provided to children’s hospices as part of the Children and Young People’s Hospice Grant. Separate, further investment in children and young people’s palliative and end of life care, including hospices, has also been made through the NHS Long Term Plan’s commitment to match-fund clinical commissioning groups, and subsequently integrated care boards (ICBs), totalling over £23 million.

Autism and Learning Disability: Housing

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to provide housing for adults with (a) learning disabilities and (b) autism who are currently living in in-patient units so that they can live independently.

Maria Caulfield: On 26 January 2024, we published statutory guidance on discharge from mental health inpatient settings. This guidance sets out key principles for how National Health Service bodies and local authorities across adult and children’s services should work together to support people in being discharged from mental health inpatient services, including mental health inpatient services for people with a learning disability and for autistic people. This guidance states that strong links should be made with relevant community services prior to, and during, the person’s stay in hospital, and that this should include links in relation to meeting the person’s housing needs.We continue to support the delivery of new supported housing by providing capital subsidies to providers, through the Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund and the Affordable Homes Programme in England.The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is represented on the Building the Right Support Delivery Board. This cross-Government, cross-system board is responsible for driving progress on reducing the number of people with a learning disability and autistic people in mental health inpatient services.

Cancer: Health Services

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions she has had with NHS England on ensuring that cancer is (a) diagnosed and (b) treated as quickly as possible.

Andrew Stephenson: The Department engages in ongoing discussions with NHS England, and is taking steps to reduce cancer diagnosis and treatment waiting times across England. The Government is working jointly with NHS England on implementing the delivery plan for tackling the COVID-19 backlogs in elective care, and plans to spend more than £8 billion from 2022/23 to 2024/25 to help drive up and protect elective activity, including cancer diagnosis and treatment activity.Recently, following ministerial approval, NHS England consolidated the cancer waiting times standards on 1 October 2023. This followed the clinically led review of standards across the National Health Service, which recommended consolidating cancer waiting times from 10 standards into three. The three standards are: the Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS), ensuing a maximum 28-day wait for communication of a definitive cancer or non-cancer diagnosis for patients referred urgently, or those identified by NHS cancer screening; a maximum 62-day wait to first treatment from urgent general practitioner referral, NHS cancer screening, or consultant upgrade; and a maximum 31-day wait from the decision to treat to any cancer treatment starting, for all cancer patients. To achieve the FDS target and early diagnosis, NHS England has implemented a non-symptom specific pathway for patients who present with non-specific symptoms, or combinations of non-specific symptoms, that can indicate several different cancers, and a Best Timed Practice Pathway to ensure patients are diagnosed or told that cancer is ruled out within 28 days of an urgent referral.

Whooping Cough: Vaccination

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to increase pertussis vaccination rates among (a) young children and (b) pregnant women.

Maria Caulfield: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), in partnership with NHS England and the Department, undertakes a range of actions to improve vaccination coverage for all ages in England. This includes initiatives to improve access to the immunisation programme, data to better identify under-served individuals and populations, training for healthcare professionals, and communication with the public. For example, on 4 March 2024, the UKHSA launched a new multi-media marketing campaign across England to remind parents and carers of the risk of their children missing out on protection against serious diseases that are re-emerging in the country, with an urgent call to action to catch up on missed vaccinations. Expectant mothers are encouraged to take up the maternal pertussis vaccine, which is 97% effective at preventing death in young infants from whooping cough. Parents and carers are also being reminded to check that children are vaccinated against whooping cough, which is offered to all infants at eight, 12, and 16 weeks of age, as part of the six in one combination vaccine, with an additional dose included in the pre-school booster vaccine.

Whooping Cough: Vaccination

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she is taking steps to ensure adequate supplies of pertussis vaccine in the context of the rise in instances in the Czech Republic.

Andrew Stephenson: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) centrally procures and manages the United Kingdom’s supply of the pertussis vaccine, for the routine national immunisation programmes. Due to the stockpiles maintained in the UK for the national programme, there is good supply available of all pertussis-containing vaccines for the routine immunisation programmes.

Health Services: Technology

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department has had discussions with NICE on the development of the interim methods and processes statement for late-stage assessment.

Andrew Stephenson: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) consulted the Department on the interim methods and processes statement. As stated in paragraph 4.1 of the interim methods and processes, the NICE worked in collaboration with the Department to determine the eight planned assessment topics.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Neale Hanvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has (a) requested and (b) reviewed data from the expert review panel set up by the Norwegian government into the cause of death in relation to patients who have received a Covid 19 vaccine.

Maria Caulfield: Following the initial roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in December 2020, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) had a comprehensive surveillance strategy in place, enabling continual close monitoring of emerging safety evidence, including relevant safety information from international regulators. This included engagement with the European Medicines Agency to discuss data emerging from European Member States and countries in the European Economic Area, such as Norway. The MHRA communicates safety advice based upon consideration of the totality of evidence from all relevant information sources, rather than the strengths and limitations of individual data sources.

Health Services: Technology

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has received representations of concern from (a) patient safety groups and (b) medical equipment suppliers on the interim methods and processes statement for late-stage assessments published by NICE.

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has made an assessment of the potential (a) risks and (b) benefits to (i) patients and (ii) caregivers of the use of a predetermined price range for categories of technologies in the new late-stage assessment process adopted by NICE.

Andrew Stephenson: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) interim methods and processes for late-stage assessment have been subject to a public consultation between 29 February and 28 March 2024. The consultation allowed stakeholders from across the sector, including medical equipment suppliers, patients, and caregivers, to comment on these interim methods and processes. This included the proposed use of predetermined price ranges for categories of technologies. The Department and the NICE are unable to comment on the results of the consultation at this stage, as the NICE is currently considering the responses. Further information will be made available upon the completion of this process.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust: Doctors and Nurses

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) doctors and (b) nurses were employed by United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust in each of the last five years.

Andrew Stephenson: The table below shows the number of full-time equivalent doctors and nurses, the latter of which includes health visitors, employed by the United Lincolnshire Hospital NHS Trust, in December of each of the last five years: 20192020202120222023Doctors8028829229971,080Nurses1,6261,6111,7231,8092,105Source: data is based on the monthly National Health Service workforce statistics published by NHS England, available at the following link:  https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-workforce-statistics

General Practitioners: Wellingborough

Gen Kitchen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she plans to enable the provision of additional services in GP surgeries in Wellingborough constituency.

Andrea Leadsom: All practices can opt in to providing Enhanced Services, as well as Direct Enhanced Services for which practices are paid separately from the global sum payment. Integrated care boards, as commissioners of primary care, are responsible for commissioning Local Enhanced Services, which vary in scope and funding to fit the needs of local areas.

Heart Diseases: Health Services

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has made an estimate of the number of heart valve disease patients treated in non-elective settings in the last 12 months; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of this treatment on (a) hospital capacity and (b) patient's quality of life.

Andrew Stephenson: NHS England’s Hospital Episode Statistics tell us that there were 11,581 non-elective hospital admissions for heart valve disease in 2022/23. There has been no specific assessment made of the potential impact of this treatment on hospital capacity or on patients quality of life. The National Health Service will, at all times, aim to provide patients with the care which responds to their needs. This includes patients who are admitted to hospital through non-elective routes for heart valve disease.The NHS is also taking action to identify cardiovascular disease before a patient is admitted to hospital. The NHS has rolled out free blood pressure checks to people over the age of 40 in community pharmacies to detect thousands more people living with hypertension earlier. This means more people can access simple, low-cost treatments that will reduce their risk of death or serious illness from cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, 108 community diagnostic centres have opened that have delivered more than 3.9 million tests, including those that detect cardiovascular disease.NHS England has included hypertension case-finding, optimal management, and lipid optimal management as one of its five clinical areas of focus requiring accelerated improvement within the Core20PLUS5 approach. The Core20PLUS5 informs action to reduce healthcare inequalities at both national and system level.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Neale Hanvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has had recent discussions with the (a) Chair and (b) Chief Executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on its statutory function to operate a system of post marketing surveillance in the UK for (i) fatal outcomes and (ii) adverse reactions in patients who have received a covid-19 vaccine.

Maria Caulfield: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) fulfils the requirements set out in the Human Medicines Regulation Part 11, in respect of obligations on the licensing authority to conduct surveillance of all medicinal products, including COVID-19 vaccines.For COVID-19 vaccines, the MHRA implemented a proactive strategy, which included prospective safety data collection, and use of a range of domestic and international data sources and methodologies. For all products, events and outcomes, each data source is assessed based on its strengths and limitations, using appropriate methodologies and, where appropriate, statistical thresholds for those data. The MHRA also work closely with public health partners in reviewing the effectiveness and impact of the vaccines, to ensure the benefits continue to outweigh any possible side effects.The MHRA keep all available evidence under review including studies, published literature, and data arising from the widespread use of COVID-19 vaccines in the United Kingdom and globally. Ministers routinely engage with officials from the MHRA on a number of issues.

Laboratories: Disease Control

Matt Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 8 March 2024 to Question 16313 on Laboratories: Disease Control, what the budget for the maintenance of Category 4 laboratories was for each of the last five years; and what funds have been allocated for such maintenance for the future.

Matt Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 8 March 2024 to Question 16314 on Laboratories: Disease Control, what the budget was for Porton Down in each of the last five years; how much has been allocated for future years; and what plans she has to ensure the long-term (a) sustainability and (b) effectiveness of Porton Down.

Maria Caulfield: The UK Health Security Agency’s Porton Down and Colindale scientific campus sites do not have separate operational costs for the Category 4 laboratories. Spend on the maintenance and operation of these sites is provided through the spending review process.Work is ongoing to establish the most robust approach for continued delivery of the high-quality science at Porton Down

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Neale Hanvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many reports have been received by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on (i) fatal outcomes and (ii) adverse reactions in patients who have received a covid-19 vaccine.

Maria Caulfield: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has received 489,004 spontaneous suspected adverse drug reaction reports relating to a COVID-19 vaccine up to and including 28 February 2024, within the United Kingdom. 2,734 of the reports were associated with a fatal outcome. Reporters are asked to submit Yellow Card reports even if they only have a suspicion that the vaccine may have caused the adverse reaction. The existence of an adverse reaction report does not necessarily mean that the vaccine has caused the reaction. Reporting rates can be influenced by many factors, including the seriousness of the adverse reactions, their ease of recognition, and the extent of the use of a particular vaccine.

Heart Diseases

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she plans to include additional material on heart valve disease in the Major Conditions Strategy.

Andrew Stephenson: In the development of the Major Conditions Strategy, we are committed to focusing on the six major groups of conditions, which includes cardiovascular disease. Aligning work across several groups of conditions allows us to focus on where there are similarities in approach to ensure care is better centred around the patient, health and care resources are used most effectively, and that there is effective integration, both within and between treatment pathways.This strategy does not seek to describe everything that is being done or could be done to meet the challenges of specific diseases within the major conditions. Instead, we are focusing on developing a strategic approach to inform the wide range of decisions health and care organisations make when determining how best to care for the people they serve.

Heart Diseases: Medical Treatments

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to tackle disparities in access to medical treatment for heart valve disease.

Andrew Stephenson: In the development of the Major Conditions Strategy, we are committed to focusing on the six major groups, which includes cardiovascular disease. As part of the policy development process, the Major Conditions Strategy will consider the full range of health disparities that may be experienced by different groups, including ethnic and gender disparities.

Cancer: Screening

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate she has made of the timeline for meeting cancer screening uptake targets for (a) breast, (b) cervical, (c) bowel and (d) prostate cancer.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to increase the uptake of screening for (a) breast, (b) cervical, (c) bowel and (d) prostate cancer.

Andrew Stephenson: The Government is committed to improving uptake in all screening programmes, including for breast, bowel, and cervical screening. There is no national screening programme for prostate cancer. The improvement in cancer screening programmes is not predicated on a specific timeline, but is focusing on targeting specific groups where uptake is low.NHS England has developed a national improvement plan in collaboration with key stakeholders to improve uptake within the breast screening programme. This plan will encompass a series of evaluative projects, which are expected to report in April 2024A range of improvements and innovations have been brought in to help improve uptake in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. For example, appointments are being made available during evenings and weekends, and in some areas cervical screening appointments can be made in any primary care setting, rather than just at one’s own general practice.In addition, we are also working to test the effectiveness of human papillomavirus infection self-sampling as a primary cervical screening option, with individuals taking their own cervical screening sample. The findings from this evaluation will be used to inform a UK National Screening Committee recommendation, and it is expected that self-sampling could lead to an increase in uptake as it will reduce some of the barriers that prevent people from attending a screening.Uptake in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is currently above the achievable threshold of 60%, between 1 July and 30 September 2023 it was 67.4%, and therefore the focus for this screening programme is on gradually reducing the age of the eligible cohort from 60 years old down to 50 years old, to increase to numbers eligible for this programme.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Neale Hanvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency will establish an expert review panel to investigate the cause of death for reports of suspected (i) fatal outcomes and (ii) adverse reactions in patients who have received a covid-19 vaccine.

Maria Caulfield: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) role is to ensure that the benefits associated with a medicinal product outweigh the known risks, at the time of first authorisation and thereafter. Whilst the MHRA seeks expert advice from the Commission on Human Medicines and its expert advisory groups on the likelihood of an association between a COVID-19 vaccine and a safety concern, this is based on the totality of evidence from Yellow Card data, and relevant information from other sources. Should a new link between a medicine and a safety concern be confirmed, the MHRA will take necessary regulatory action, such as updating product information to include a warning for patients and healthcare professionals.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Neale Hanvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the article in the British Medical Journal entitled Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is “likely” responsible for deaths of some elderly patients, Norwegian review finds, published on 27 May 2021; and if she will have discussions with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on the contents of the report.

Maria Caulfield: Following the initial roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in December 2020, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) had a comprehensive surveillance strategy in place, enabling continual close monitoring of emerging safety evidence including studies, published literature, and data arising from the widespread use in the United Kingdom and globally. This included the article and Norwegian reports highlighted. The MHRA communicates safety advice based upon consideration of the totality of evidence from all relevant information sources, rather than the strengths and limitations of individual data sources.

Prisoners: Mental Illness and Neurodiversity

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of prisoners had (a) an identified mental illness and (b) a diagnosed neurodivergence in each of the last 10 years.

Maria Caulfield: NHS England is only able to produce data for the last 12 months, as we have improved our reporting mechanisms to include neurodivergent conditions. Prior to this improvement, information is not available.As of 29 February 2024, there were 6,152 prisoners, or 7.3% of the prison population, with an identified mental health illness, according to the Quality and Outcomes Framework’s classifications. This only includes those with confirmation of a severe and enduring mental health illness such as schizophrenia, and does not include dementia, depression, and learning disabilities. 6,699 prisoners, or 8% of the prison population, had a confirmed diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. 2,684 prisoners, or 3.2% of the prison population, had a confirmed diagnosis of autism. It is not possible to produce a combined figure within the timescales, due to the fact that prisoners may have more than one diagnosis and therefore may be counted multiple times.

Hospitals: Coronavirus

Sir Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department made of the potential risks of discontinuing routine covid-19 testing of hospital patients prior to their discharge to care homes before.

Maria Caulfield: The public health advice is that now is an appropriate point to end routine asymptomatic discharge testing for COVID-19, and move to a risk-based approach. A reduction in the severity of illness associated with the omicron variant, coupled with a high uptake of the vaccine among residents during the autumn COVID-19 vaccination booster, continued provision of infection prevention and control guidance, and the upcoming increased eligibility for COVID-19 treatments, demonstrates a reduced level of risk from COVID-19 in adult social care settings. In addition, epidemiological studies, and consensus reports from the early phases of the pandemic, suggest that hospital discharge was not dominant in the ingress of COVID-19 into care home settings.The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) guidance on safe discharge and management of individuals with symptoms of an acute respiratory infection remains in place, and this will be kept under regular review. National Health Service trusts will have local discretion to re-introduce discharge or other forms of testing where clinically appropriate, following a risk assessment involving local authority public health teams, UKHSA Health Protection Teams, and care providers, as necessary in the decision making.

Anaesthesia Associates and Physician Associates

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions she has had with the General Medical Council on (a) regulating (i) physician and (ii) anaesthesia associates and (b) ensuring that increased use of these roles in hospitals does not impact (A) the professional competence of other healthcare professionals and (B) patient safety.

Andrew Stephenson: The Department has been working closely with the General Medical Council (GMC) since 2019, on the regulation of Anaesthesia Associates (AAs) and Physician Associates (PAs). Regulation with the GMC will provide set standards of practice, education, and training for AAs and PAs, as well as requirements around continual professional development (CPD) and conduct. Regulation with the GMC will mean that individual AAs and PAs can be held to account if serious concerns are raised. The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan commits to growing these roles alongside recruiting and training more doctors, nurses, and allied health and other professionals. NHS England is working with partners, including the GMC, royal colleges, trade unions, doctors, and medical associate professional groups to develop comprehensive curricula, core capability frameworks, standards for CPD, assessment and appraisal, and supervision guidance for AAs and PAs, ensuring the roles are expanded safely and effectively.

Health Professions

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions she is having with professional bodies on ensuring that the public have a clear understanding of (a) professional titles and (b) the services they can expect from the holders of such titles.

Andrew Stephenson: It is the responsibility of professionals and their employers to ensure professional titles are used appropriately, and are not misleading to patients. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines set out that all healthcare professionals directly involved in a patient's care should introduce themselves and explain to the patient: who is responsible for their clinical care and treatment; the roles and responsibilities of the different members of the healthcare team; and the communication about their care that takes place between members of the healthcare team. Professions that are regulated in statute have titles that are protected by law, and professionals must be registered with a statutory regulator to use them. It is an offence for a person to use a title they are not legally permitted to use, or to otherwise hold themselves out to be a regulated professional.

Social Services

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of her policies on social care on (a) staff recruitment and retention and (b) service user outcomes.

Helen Whately: Preliminary findings for the Department's workforce reform programme have indicated that workers with multiple positive employment factors, including increasing access to training and qualifications, were more likely to stay in employment. Planned evaluation of the reforms will aim to measure the impact on intention to leave, and actual turnover, along with other outcomes.We anticipate benefits from the workforce reform programme will include a reduction in staff turnover, improved quality of care from a better trained and more stable workforce, increased workforce productivity, and an increase in efficiency savings for social care providers as they reduce the amount of retraining and recruitment needed. These all contribute to our wider goals of improvements in the quality-of-care provision and improved access to care.

General Practitioners: Wellingborough

Gen Kitchen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) support and (b) resources are available to help GP surgeries in Wellingborough constituency to (i) clear patient backlogs and (ii) reduce workloads.

Andrea Leadsom: We know that general practice (GP) services are still under huge pressure, which is why we published our Delivery Plan for Recovering Access to Primary Care. Our commitment in publishing this plan is to make it easier and quicker for the public to get the help they need from primary care. The plan sets out how we will cut bureaucracy to reduce workload and free up more time for practice teams to meet the clinical needs of their patients.To achieve this, we are implementing strategies to empower patients to take more control of their healthcare. This involves transitioning towards a Modern General Practice Access model, which includes supporting practices in adopting cloud-based telephony systems, which help GPs to better match their capacity to patient demand. This is backed by £240 million of re-targeted funding for digital tools and training.   We are building additional capacity by diversifying the workforce to include a wider range of practitioners for patients to see, helping free up GP time for more complex cases. This includes an additional 36,523 direct patient care staff, such as pharmacy technicians and physician assistants, since 2019. Additionally, in 2022 a record 4,032 doctors accepted a place on GP training.   We know how implementing changes in GPs will take time, training, and support. That is why from April 2023 the new national General Practice Improvement Programme is supporting GPs to deliver change, with hands on help from a choice of improvement modules that will be tailored to individual practice needs.The plan is backed up by major investment into primary care services, with up to £645 million over two years to expand the services offered by community pharmacies, with the introduction of Pharmacy First. This has enabled community pharmacists to manage seven common conditions, including the supply of prescription-only medicines without a prescription from a GP. The proposals have the potential to release 10 million GP appointments.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Neale Hanvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what processes the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency uses to determine whether a covid-19 vaccine may have caused (a) fatal outcomes and (b) adverse reactions in patients.

Maria Caulfield: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) does not assign causality at the level of individual reports, as this is not the responsibility of the MHRA, and as such a process is not held. The MHRA holds processes for cumulative analysis of Yellow Card data, as well as assessment of data from other sources, for patterns or evidence which might suggest a causal link between the vaccination and the reported reaction, alongside other relevant data. In relation to fatal reports, it is the role of a Coroner to determine the likely cause of death for an individual. The MHRA’s approach to post authorisation surveillance of COVID-19 vaccines is outlined in the published Report of the Commission on Human Medicines Expert Working Group on COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance.

Eating Disorders: Wellingborough

Gen Kitchen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support she is providing for young people with eating disorders in Wellingborough constituency.

Andrea Leadsom: Since 2016, investment in children and young people's community eating disorder services has risen every year, with an extra £54 million per year as of 2023/24. This extra funding continues to enhance the capacity of community eating disorder teams across the country.NHS England continues to work with system leaders and regions, including Wellingborough, and asks that areas prioritise service delivery and investment to meet the needs of these vulnerable young people, to help ensure funding flows to these services as intended. To support this, NHS England is refreshing guidance on children and young people's eating disorders, including increasing the focus on early identification and intervention.

Parkinson's Disease: Health Services

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will amend the NHS long-term workforce plan to help tackle regional variations in access to Parkinson’s specialist care.

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan will include steps to help tackle regional variations in access to Parkinson’s specialist care.

Andrew Stephenson: The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan (LTWP) sets out the steps the National Health Service and its partners need to take to deliver an NHS workforce that meets the changing needs of the population over the next 15 years. It covers the majority of NHS workforce groups, including those working on Parkinson’s disease. The LTWP commits to working closely with systems to consider the best approaches to reviewing the geographical distribution of training posts for wider professional groups.

NHS: Staff

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when she plans to publish further information on the implementation of the NHS long-term workforce plan.

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when she plans to publish details on how the NHS long-term workforce plan will be implemented.

Andrew Stephenson: We have established a Long Term Workforce Plan Governance Board which will ensure the delivery and review the progress of the Long Term Workforce Plan’s implementation. The modelling NHS England has used in the plan is founded on data, evidence, and analysis and provides a set of broad ranges to measure the potential impact of actions over its 15 year timeframe. We have committed to refreshing the modelling that underpins the plan every two years, or in line with fiscal events.

Integrated Care Systems: Allergies and Nutrition

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of each Integrated care systems having a (a) specialist allergy nurse and (b) dietitian.

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to improve allergy awareness in health care settings.

Andrew Stephenson: The majority of services for people living with allergies are commissioned locally through integrated care boards (ICBs), which are best placed to commission services according to local need. Specialised allergy services are provided for patients with severe and complex allergic conditions, or those who have common allergic conditions for which conventional management has failed and for whom specified specialist treatments are required. In 2023/24, these services are jointly commissioned by NHS England Specialised Commissioning and the ICBs, in line with the published Specialist Allergy Service Specification.There is an established Clinical Reference Group (CRG), which is responsible for providing national clinical advice and leadership for specialised immunology and allergy services. The CRG uses its expertise to advise NHS England on the best ways to provide specialised services. This includes developing national standards in the form of service specifications and policies. The CRG commenced a review of the current service specification in May 2023, which is expected to be complete by summer 2024. The outcome of the service specification review will be an updated specification which references up-to-date guidance and takes into account the latest evidence base, to clearly define the standards of care for commissioned specialised services.To help promote awareness of allergies, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published guidance on a range of allergy conditions, including food allergy in under 19-year-olds, anaphylaxis, and drug allergy. The NICE promotes its guidance via its website, newsletters, and other media.To support clinicians in the implementation of clear care pathways, the NICE website has guidance to support diagnosis and treatment of a range of allergy conditions, including how to identify allergies and when to refer to specialist care, and how to ensure allergies are recorded in their medical records.  The NICE website also provides primary care practitioners with access to clinical knowledge summaries outlining the current evidence base and practical guidance on a range of skin conditions.

Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access

Mike Kane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the guidance entitled 2024 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth, published on 20 November 2023, what steps her Department is taking to apply the provisions of section 6.26 on exceptional circumstances.

Mike Kane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to section 6.26 of the guidance entitled 2024 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth, published on 20 November 2023, whether her Department has been allocated additional resources to consider exceptional circumstances.

Andrew Stephenson: In the vast majority of instances, payments required under the 2024 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth will be affordable for companies, or can be mitigated by standard price increase processes. In exceptional circumstances only, the scheme allows companies to apply to increase their National Health Service list price, and for older medicines to reduce their top-up payment percentage, even when their wider portfolio is otherwise profitable. To qualify, a product must be demonstrably uneconomic to supply, there must be clear evidence that supply disruption would otherwise occur, and this disruption must have a negative impact on patients or the NHS. The Department already has processes and committees to consider applications for exceptional circumstances, established under previous pricing schemes.

NHS Greater Manchester: Drugs

Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when she last met with Greater Manchester NHS Board to discuss the statutory commissioning of NICE approved medicines.

Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions NHS England have had with Greater Manchester NHS on their statutory responsibilities to commission NICE approved medicines.

Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance her Department issues NHS trusts on establishing commissioning structures for Health Technology Assessments; and whether trusts have discretion to adopt different processes.

Andrew Stephenson: Ministers have not met with Greater Manchester NHS Board about the statutory commissioning of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended medicines. Similarly I am informed that NHS England is not aware of any such discussions.The National Health Service in England is legally required to make funding available for treatments recommended in NICE technology appraisal and highly specialised technologies guidance, normally within three months of the publication of final guidance. This requirement is reflected in the NHS Constitution as a right to drugs and treatments that have been recommended by NICE for use in the NHS, if their doctor believes they are clinically appropriate.The NHS Standard Contract is mandated by NHS England for use by commissioners for all contracts for healthcare services other than primary care. The 2024/25 standard contract states that, where any service involves or may involve the prescribing of medicines, the provider must ensure that its formulary reflects all relevant positive NICE technology appraisals. NICE’s guideline on developing and updating local formularies states that when a NICE technology appraisal recommends a medicine, it should be adopted into the local formulary automatically if clinically appropriate and relevant to the services provided by the organisation, and that this process should take place within three months.

Department for Education

Students: Freedom of Expression

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, in reference to the Office for Students consultation on proposed regulatory advice and other matters relating to freedom of speech, announced on 26 March 2024, what discussions (a) she and (b) the Office for Students have had on this with (i) the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, (ii) other Ministers in the Department for Business and Trade, (iii) Officials in that Department, (iv) the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, (v) other Ministers in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and (vi) officials in that Department.

David Johnston: Officials regularly speak on matters of mutual importance across government, particularly on cross-cutting policy and new legislation. The department’s officials continue to engage with both the Office for Students (OfS) and other governmental departments (OGDs) surrounding the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 (the Act).Officials will continue to engage with the OfS and OGDs ahead of the Act coming into force, currently planned for 1 August 2024 for the main provisions, including the complaints scheme. The content of the consultation published on 26 March 2026 is a matter for the OfS.

Alternative Education: Physical Education

Olivia Blake: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure all children and young people attending alternative provision settings are provided with access to high-quality physical education.

Olivia Blake: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what requirements are placed on alternative provision settings to deliver physical education.

Olivia Blake: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of alternative provision settings have dedicated space for (a) indoor and (b) outdoor physical education.

David Johnston: Although alternative provision (AP) settings are not required to follow the national curriculum, there is an expectation that they should aim to deliver a high-quality, broad and balanced curriculum, including physical education that responds to the needs and ambitions of all children to give them the foundations and resilience to succeed in education and in their future life. Data on the amount and type of outdoor space for all schools, including state-funded AP schools can be found here: https://depositedpapers.parliament.uk/depositedpaper/2285521/files. The department does not hold information on dedicated space for indoor physical education in AP settings.

English Language and Mathematics: Further Education

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has undertaken an assessment of the impact of the 16 to 19 maths and English condition of funding on (a) student experience of learning at and (b) staffing levels in (i) further education colleges and (ii) independent training providers.

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the phased removal of the tolerance of students who do not meet the 16 to 19 maths and English condition of funding from 5% to 0%, starting in academic year 2026-27, on (a) further education colleges and (b) independent training providers.

Luke Hall: This government recognises the importance of literacy and numeracy skills, both in work and everyday life. Securing good levels of literacy and numeracy has a positive impact on participation in society, improves earnings and employment opportunities and opens doors to further learning. The changes to the mathematics and English condition of funding are intended to have a positive effect on 16-19 students, giving them the English and mathematics skills they need to progress in life and work. The changes also bring England in line with other countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), where 16-19 students receive significantly more hours of English and mathematics teaching. For the 2024/2025 academic year, the department expects providers to comply as far as reasonably possible with the changes, so they have time to plan and prepare before the department measures compliance from the 2025/2026 academic year. Only then will the department begin the phased removal of the tolerance. More information about mathematics and English condition funding can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/16-to-19-funding-maths-and-english-condition-of-funding. As the department works with the sector on implementation, the department remains committed to considering the impacts on students in further education colleges and independent training providers. This includes the workforce implications, and maximising the benefits for them.

Teachers: Workplace Pensions

Sir Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her planned timetable is for informing schools of the arrangements for reimbursement of the increased contributions they are required to make for teachers pensions.

Damian Hinds: On 11 March 2024, the department announced an additional £1.1 billion in the 2024/25 financial year to support schools with the increased Teachers’ Pension Scheme employer contribution rate. The £1.1 billion will mean over £920 million for mainstream schools and over £135 million for high needs settings. Additional funding will also be provided to local authorities in respect of centrally employed teachers. This additional funding will be distributed via the new teachers’ pension employer contribution grant (TPECG) 2024. Further details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teachers-pension-employer-contribution-grant-2024-for-schools-high-needs-settings-and-local-authorities-2024-to-2025. To help with planning, the department has published a ready reckoner for mainstream schools and academies to estimate what their TPECG 24 allocation for 2024/25 will be. The ready reckoner can be found here: https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fmedia%2F65f2cf0eff117048966159fc%2FTPECG_2024-25_Calculator.ods&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK. With the extra funding for pension contributions, overall school funding is rising by £2.9 billion in 2024/25 compared to 2023/24, which takes the total to £60.7 billion and the highest ever level in real terms per pupil.

Free Schools: Bournemouth

Mr Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Spring Budget 2024, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of locating one of the 15 new special free schools in Bournemouth.

Damian Hinds: The department received a total of 85 applications from local authorities to open a special free school in the most recent, very competitive application round, including two applications from Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Council. The department plans to select 15 successful applications from the pool of applications. This will remain a competitive process. The approach means the department can move quickly to appoint trusts to run these schools. The department plans to announce those local authorities which have been successful for the additional special free schools by May 2024.

Literacy and Numeracy: Standards

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help improve adult (a) numeracy and (b) literacy skills.

Luke Hall: This government recognises the importance of literacy and numeracy skills in both work and everyday life. Securing good levels of literacy and numeracy has a positive impact on participation in society, improves earnings and employment opportunities and opens doors to further learning.That is why the department is continuing to support participation in English and mathematics provision through its essential skills entitlements which provide the opportunity of free study for adults who do not have essential literacy and numeracy skills up to and including Level 2. This allows learners who have not previously attained a GCSE grade 4 or higher to undertake a range of courses fully funded through the Adult Education Budget (AEB) including GCSEs, Functional Skills and other relevant qualifications from entry level to Level 2.The department also supports adults in England who are non-native speakers to access English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision, which is funded through the AEB.Further training for adults is available in community settings through the AEB. Prioritised for disadvantaged learners, Community Learning can provide a stepping stone for those adults who are not ready for formal accredited learning or who would benefit from learning in a more informal way.Currently approximately 60% of the AEB is devolved to nine Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and delegated to the Mayor of London acting through the Greater London Authority (GLA). These authorities are responsible for the provision of adult education and the allocation of the AEB in their local areas.The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is responsible for the remaining AEB in non-devolved areas where colleges and training providers have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their AEB to meet the needs of their communities. ​​In addition, the department funds all apprentices, including adults, to achieve up to a Level 2 in English and maths by the end of their apprenticeship, where they do not already hold a suitable equivalent qualification. In January, the department increased funding by a minimum of 54%, from £471 to £724, for new apprentices to help them gain these vital skills. The department have also launched the Multiply Programme to improve adult numeracy. The programme is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is the government’s flagship fund for supporting people and places across the UK. Up to £270 million is directly available for local areas in England to deliver innovative interventions to improve adult numeracy. Delivery is now well underway. Multiply Programme provision is available across the country, with over 113,000 course starts in England since the programme began to the end of January 2024.

Home Office

Asylum: LGBT+ People

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the (a) needs and (b) vulnerabilities of LGBTQI+ people as part of Operation Maximise.

Tom Pursglove: The safety and wellbeing of asylum seekers in our care is of paramount importance to the Home Office. We expect high standards from all of our providers, and we have a robust governance framework in place to manage service delivery of the Asylum Accommodation Support Contracts (AASC). Further details can be found at: AASC_-_Schedule_2_-_Statement_of_Requirements.pdf.Section G.2 of the AASC provides examples of factors which accommodation providers should consider as part of their case-by-case assessment of an individual’s needs in room sharing, including whether they identify as LGBT. This aligns with the allocation of accommodation policy which sets out that the circumstances of every person in asylum accommodation should be assessed individually. Where an individual need or safeguarding concern exists, accommodation may be provided to meet such need.Additionally, the Home Office has published the Asylum Support Contracts Safeguarding Framework at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-support-contracts-safeguarding-framework. This framework sets out a joint, overarching approach, as well as the key controls and reporting mechanisms in place, across the AASC contracts, for safeguarding arrangements.   All asylum seekers have access to a 24/7 AIRE (Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility) service provided for the Home Office by Migrant Help where they can raise any concerns regarding accommodation or support services and they can get information about how to obtain further support.

Firearms: Licensing

Mark Pawsey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of fees for firearms licences.

Chris Philp: Fees for firearms licences were last increased in 2015 and the Government is currently considering proposals for new firearms licensing fees.I hope to make an announcement about fees shortly.Income received from firearms licensing fees should be invested into ensuring forces’ licensing teams are adequately resourced, trained and equipped.

Police: Neurodiversity

Matt Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will hold discussions with the National Police Chiefs' Council on increasing awareness of neurodiverse conditions in recruitment processes.

Chris Philp: Our Police Uplift Programme supported forces with a variety of attraction and recruitment strategies, whilst delivering a campaign that was designed to reach diverse audiences.We continue to work with The College of Policing and NPCC to support efforts to recruit a diverse workforce, and to ensure policing is a career where recruits can thrive.

Police: Havering

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to improve police recruitment and retention in the London Borough of Havering.

Chris Philp: We delivered our commitment to recruit 20,000 additional police officers. There are now over 149,000 officers in England and Wales, higher than the previous peak in 2010. Forces have been fully funded to maintain this uplift.Retention is a key priority. Voluntary resignation rates, at around 3%, are low compared to other sectors and 72% of new recruits say they intend to stay until retirement.

Corruption

Wendy Chamberlain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will publish an updated anti-corruption strategy.

Tom Tugendhat: Development of a new Anti-Corruption Strategy is well underway with publication expected shortly.The new Strategy will build on progress made in the 2017 Strategy and set out how the Government will go further to counter corruption.The Strategy will outline steps to prevent institutions from being corrupted, bring corrupt actors to justice, address the harms caused and combat corruption internationally.

Police: Labour Turnover and Recruitment

Sir John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps he has taken to help recruit and retain police officers.

Chris Philp: We delivered our commitment to recruit 20,000 additional police officers. There are now over 149,000 officers in England and Wales, higher than the previous peak in 2010. Forces have been fully funded to maintain this uplift.Retention is a key priority. Voluntary resignation rates, at around 3%, are low compared to other sectors and 72% of new recruits say they intend to stay until retirement.

Detection Rates

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to help reduce the number of unsolved crimes.

Chris Philp: We are committed to ensuring all partners across the Criminal Justice System (CJS) work better together to increase the number of cases being charged and prosecuted and improve case progression.We welcome the commitment from police forces across England and Wales to pursue all leads where there is a reasonable chance it could result in catching a perpetrator and solving a crime.

Immigration Controls: Northern Ireland

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were charged with criminal offences as a result of Operation Gull in Northern Ireland in 2023.

Michael Tomlinson: In 2023, Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigation teams (CFI) charged 39 individuals with criminal offences as part of Operation Gull.

Passports: British National (Overseas)

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy to expand the British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passport to include children of BN(O) passport holders.

Tom Pursglove: The Home Office cannot issue a BN(O) passport to someone who does not hold BN(O) status. BN(O) status was only available by registration before 1 July 1997, and people born on or after that date cannot become a BN(O). There are no plans to retrospectively allow BN(O) status to be acquired by descendants of BN(O) status holders.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of issuing physical back-up copies of immigration documents for people on the EU Settlement Scheme.

Tom Pursglove: As part of our move to a “digital by default” border and immigration system, physical immigration documents are being replaced by fully digital eVisas (an online record of the person’s immigration status).All EU, EEA and Swiss citizens granted pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) are now able to prove their rights in the UK digitally, by using the View and Prove service on GOV.UK, instead of using physical documents. Non-EU, EEA or Swiss citizen family members who have a UKVI account can also use the View and Prove service.Successful applicants continue to receive written notice of their immigration status by email or letter, which they can keep for their personal records if they wish. However, due to the possibility of fraud and abuse this document cannot be used to evidence an individual’s immigration status to external organisations.There are no plans to provide EU citizens granted status under the EUSS with physical back-up copies of immigration documents.

Migrant Workers: Care Workers

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the time taken for care providers to receive Certificates of Sponsorship for (a) overseas and (b) senior care workers.

Tom Pursglove: The Defined Certificate of Sponsorship process for carers and senior carers from overseas is the same and frequently requires an assessment to establish whether or not the sponsor is able to offer a genuine vacancy. This usually requires the sponsor to submit additional documentation, while the timeframes involved are adequate for the purposes of preventing the exploitation of proposed migrant workers.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid

Dan Carden: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the news release from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights entitled Attacks on the humanitarian aid distribution system, published on 22 March 2024.

Dan Carden: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking to help ensure the protection of (a) Palestinians and (b) humanitarian workers during the distribution of aid in Gaza.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: It is imperative that those doing life-saving work are properly protected. The Foreign Secretary has called on Israel to reform its deconfliction mechanism to ensure the safety of aid workers and to make progress on the UN's minimal operating requirements, including more visas and driver approvals granted, as well as more trucks permitted to cross into Gaza.

Official Visits

Richard Burgon: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, how many foreign officials have been granted special mission status to visit the UK in each year since 2011; and if he will list the (a) names and (b) country of origin of those officials.

David Rutley: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Israel Defense Forces: British Nationals Abroad

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether his Department issues guidance to UK nationals on volunteering with the Israeli Defence Force.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK recognises the right of British nationals with more than one nationality to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of their additional nationalities. This includes the Israel Defence Force.Our travel advice for those considering travel to all countries, including Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, is updated regularly and available online.

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make representations to the Israeli government on (a) publishing an official list of aid that is restricted to Gaza and (b) ensuring that nutritional and medical aid needed to treat starvation are not restricted.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Foreign Secretary has been clear that we need to see increased access for aid through land routes, increased capacity inside Gaza, an expansion of the types of aid allowed into Gaza, and the provision of electricity, water and telecommunications to both the north and the south of Gaza.We are doing all we can to get as much food into Gaza as possible. On 20 March, the Foreign Secretary announced that the UK has funded WFP to provide 2000 tons of food aid, enough to feed 275,000 people in Gaza.A field hospital, provided by UK Aid funding to UK-Med, has arrived in Gaza. This facility, staffed by UK and local medics, will be able to treat over 100 patients a day, ensuring those with health issues have access to vital aid.

Gaza: UNRWA

Greg Smith: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has had discussions with (a) relevant stakeholders and (b) his international counterparts on reported terror activity within and near United Nations Works and Relief Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) facilities in Gaza.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK takes allegations of neutrality violations extremely seriously, including any incidents related to UN installations. The FCDO also monitors this closely through our annual assessment of UNRWA. When violations have been identified, UNRWA has taken action, including raising the issue with relevant parties.We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General. Their independent investigations include assessment of the policies and systems UNRWA has in place to ensure neutrality.

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make representations to the Israeli government on the potential merits of enabling a neutral humanitarian organisation to (a) conduct checks on aid and (b) facilitate the opening of more land routes.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: We have set out very clearly the steps that Israel needs to take, including an immediate humanitarian pause to get more aid in and the hostages out; increased capacity inside Gaza and fully enabling the UN's minimal operating requirements, including by allowing visas, telecommunications equipment, armoured vehicles, trucks and personal protective equipment; as well as increased access for aid through land routes, including the scaling up of the Jordan corridor, with a streamlined screening and delivery process, the opening of a crossing in northern Gaza, Ashdod Port fully open for aid delivery and increased screening capacity at Kerem Shalom and Nitzana to seven days a week and extended hours.We also need to see an expansion of the types of aid allowed into Gaza and the provision of electricity, water and telecommunications, to both the north and the south of Gaza.

Hamas: Hostage Taking

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent progress his Department has made on helping to secure the release of hostages in Gaza.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals and their families.We have been clear that the release of all the hostages is one of the vital elements for a lasting peace and the Foreign Secretary has reiterated that we want to see the safe release of all hostages unconditionally.The Government continues to call for an immediate humanitarian pause now to allow for the release of hostages.

Israel: Arms Trade

Dan Carden: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which arms export licences are for end-use by Israeli (a) military and (b) security forces.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: HM Government publishes data on export licensing decisions on a quarterly basis in the Official Statistics, including data on outcome, end user destination, overall value, type (e.g. military, other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences. This data is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data. The most recent Official Statistics cover the period 1 April - 30 June 2023.Information regarding export licensing decisions made between 1 October - 31 December 2023 will be published after April 2024 and information regarding export licensing decisions made between 1 January - 31 March 2024 will be published later this year.

Palestinians: Detainees

Dan Carden: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the appeal by Israel-based civil society groups to the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment relating to the alleged (a) torture and (b) inhumane treatment of Palestinian detainees, published on 16 February 2024.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: We are concerned by reports of ill-treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli military detention. The UK Government is clear that administrative detention should only be used when it is justified in accordance with international law. Those under detention should either be charged or released. We are committed to working with Israel to secure improvements in its detention practices.

Gaza: Humanitarian Situation

Dan Carden: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the update from the United Nations entitled Gaza: UN aid team reaches stricken north, confirms shocking disease and hunger, published on 22 March 2024.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The British Government has pressed Israeli counterparts to increase the flow of aid into Gaza.On 5th April Israel committed to significant steps to increase the amount of aid getting to Gaza, including allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid through the Port of Ashdod and the Erez checkpoint.The UK has urged Israel to take these steps for a long time and they are welcome. We are resolved that the international community will work with Israel to see these vital changes fully implemented.Palestinians are facing a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis. The UK is playing a leadership role in alleviating that suffering. We are doing everything we can to get more aid in as quickly as possible by land, sea and air. For example, on 20 March, the Foreign Secretary announced the UK has funded WFP to provide 2000 tons of food aid, enough to feed 275,000 people in Gaza.

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what representations he has made to the Israeli government since it announced it would open a new aid crossing into northern Gaza; and what steps he plans to take to help (a) prevent starvation of Palestinian citizens and (b) ensure compliance with international humanitarian law.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: Palestinians are facing a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis. The UK is playing a leadership role in alleviating that suffering. We are doing everything we can to get more aid in as quickly as possible by land, sea and air. On 20 March, the Foreign Secretary announced the UK has funded WFP to provide 2000 tons of food aid, enough to feed 275,000 people in Gaza. For example, on 20 March, the Royal Air Force airdropped 10 tonnes of food aid - including water, rice and baby food - directly to civilians in Gaza.The British Government has pressed Israeli counterparts to increase the flow of aid into Gaza.On 5th April Israel committed to significant steps to increase the amount of aid getting to Gaza, including allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid through the Port of Ashdod and the Erez checkpoint.The UK has urged Israel to take these steps for a long time and they are welcome. We are resolved that the international community will work with Israel to see these vital changes fully implemented.

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid

Alan Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2024 Question 19633 on Gaza: Humanitarian Aid, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on the additional border crossings; and whether he has sought assurances from Israel on compliance with opening a crossing in northern Gaza.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: Palestinians are facing a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis.The British Government have pressed Israeli counterparts to increase the flow of aid into Gaza.On 5th April Israel committed to significant steps to increase the amount of aid getting to Gaza, including allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid through the Port of Ashdod and the Erez checkpoint.The UK has urged Israel to take these steps for a long time and they are welcome. We are resolved that the international community will work with Israel to see these vital changes fully implemented.

Gaza: Hospitals

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether his Department has sought legal advice on Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law in the context of Israeli military operations targeting the al-Shifa hospital complex.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: We have been clear that all parties must afford civilians the protection that is their right under international law. That includes respecting the sanctity of hospitals, so that doctors can continue to care for the sick and injured. Israel must take all possible measures to ensure the safety of medical personnel and facilities.We keep advice on Israel's adherence to International Humanitarian Law under review.

South Sudan: Christianity

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department has taken to help support persecuted Christians in South Sudan.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all. We condemn the persecution of any individual or group based on their religion of belief. South Sudan is an FCDO Human Rights priority country, and we continue to call on the Government of South Sudan - including through the UN Human Rights Council - to end impunity for human rights violations and abuses, and establish the necessary justice and accountability mechanisms.

Sudan: Refugees

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether his Department has taken recent steps with international partners to (a) provide humanitarian aid and (b) otherwise help support refugees from Sudan.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The conflict that started on 15 April 2023 has displaced more than 8 million people, including over 1.9 million who have fled to neighbouring countries. The UK recognises the significant pressure that the conflict is putting on neighbouring countries and commends them for the support they are providing. The UK provided £42.6 million in humanitarian aid to Sudan last financial year. We will provide £89 million (the vast majority of which, for humanitarian assistance) for the year ahead. We also provided help to those fleeing to neighbouring countries last year, with £7.75 million to support existing and new Sudanese refugees as well as vulnerable returnees and host communities in South Sudan and £15 million to Chad. We continue to pursue all diplomatic avenues with international partners to end the violence and push for improved humanitarian access.

Uganda: Climate Change

Claire Hanna: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has made recent representations to his Ugandan counterpart on the (a) detention and (b) treatment of climate protesters in that country.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: Through our High Commission in Kampala, we have previously raised concerns around detentions of climate protesters in Uganda; both I and the High Commission regularly engage with the Ugandan government on human rights, both bilaterally and with likeminded countries.The UK continues to work with Ugandans to advocate for democratic freedoms and respect for human rights. We are also committed to working with partners in Uganda to address the effects of climate change.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Development Aid

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing funding for projects to support agricultural businesses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing funding for sustainable agricultural equipment for people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: DRC's fertile land has enormous agricultural potential, but production is hampered by a number of factors. Improving food security, including through the rehabilitation of agriculture, has a central role in building peace, while contributing to food rural development. The UK contributes to food security, protection and resilience through our £98 million 3-year humanitarian programme for the East of DRC which delivers life-saving emergency assistance to over 1.1 million people.

Boris Johnson

Nick Thomas-Symonds: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether his Department provided a briefing to Boris Johnson in advance of his meeting with the Venezuelan President.

Nick Thomas-Symonds: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, when his Department was first informed of Boris Johnson's meeting with Venezuelan government officials; and whether enquiries were made on the nature of this visit.

David Rutley: Boris Johnson was visiting entirely in a personal capacity and not acting on behalf of the UK Government. His trip was not funded by the UK Government. As part of his visit, Mr Johnson paid a courtesy call on the British Residence in Caracas. The UK does not accept the legitimacy of the administration put in place by Nicolás Maduro following the 2018 presidential election.

UNRWA: Finance

Brendan O'Hara: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2024 to Question 16878 on UNRWA: Finance, what assurances he has sought directly from UNRWA; and what his criteria are to resume funding of UNRWA.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: We want UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again.We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General.We are working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion, not least because UNRWA has a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza.

UNRWA: Finance

Brendan O'Hara: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the decision of Finland to resume funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK was appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned.We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General. We want UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again.Our decision to pause future funding to UNRWA has no impact on the UK's contribution to the humanitarian response.

Hamas: UNRWA

Alan Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2024 to Question 19634 on Hamas: UNRWA, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the interim report on UNRWA neutrality policies and system.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General.We want UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again.We are working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion - not least because UNRWA has a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza.

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid

Hywel Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that Israel allows the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to provide humanitarian aid to northern Gaza.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister have underlined the need for Israel to ensure effective deconfliction in Gaza, open a crossing in northern Gaza and increase capacity inside Gaza, as well as fully enable the UN's minimal operating requirements, including by allowing visas, telecommunications equipment, armoured vehicles, trucks and personal protective equipment.

Gaza: Hospitals

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the situation at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza in relation to the ongoing Israeli military operations in the area.

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he is taking diplomatic steps to ensure the protection of medical staff who are trapped in al-Shifa hospital in Gaza.

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what representations his Department are making to the Israeli government on safe evacuation from al-Shifa hospital complex.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: We have been clear that all parties must afford civilians the protection that is their right under international law. That includes respecting the sanctity of hospitals, so that doctors can continue to care for the sick and injured. Israel must take all possible measures to ensure the safety of medical personnel and facilities.

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid

Alan Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2024 to Question 19633 on Gaza: Humanitarian Aid, if he will publish a detailed plan on the alternative routes the UK has planned for ensuring aid gets into Gaza; and what contingencies he has in place should aid not be delivered.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: On 5 April, Israel committed to significant steps to increase the amount of aid getting to Gaza. The UK has urged Israel to take these steps for a long time and they are welcome. We are working to get aid through these new humanitarian routes as soon as possible.To date, UK funding has supported the work of partners including the British Red Cross, World Food Programme, UNICEF and Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) to deliver vital supplies.We continue to call for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, then progress towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life.

Gaza: Food Aid

Dan Carden: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to the news story by the UN entitled Israel tells UN it will reject UNRWA food convoys into northern Gaza, published on 24 March 2024, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the Israeli government's decision to no longer approve the passage of any UNRWA food convoys into northern Gaza.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: We want to see Israel increase capacity inside Gaza and fully enable the UN's minimal operating requirements, including by allowing visas, telecommunications equipment, armoured vehicles, trucks and personal protective equipment.In addition, we have called on Israel to increase access for aid and expand the types of aid allowed into Gaza.

UNRWA: Finance

Hywel Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether the Government plans to resume funding for UNRWA following the decisions of (a) Canada, (b) Australia, (c) Sweden and (d) Finland to resume their funding for that organisation.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: We are appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned. We have paused any future funding of UNRWA.We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it, including through other UN agencies and British charities.Our decision to pause future funding to UNRWA has no impact on the UK's contribution to the humanitarian response. We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General. We want UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again.We are working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion, not least because UNRWA has a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza.

Hamas: UNRWA

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether his Department holds information on whether the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has approved Hamas’ use of its supplies and equipment.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK takes allegations of neutrality violations extremely seriously including reports of diversion of equipment. This is something we monitor in our annual assessment of UNRWA.The UK is following closely the independent review led by Minister Catherine Colonna which is assessing the mechanisms and procedures that the Agency currently has in place to ensure neutrality.

Robert Carr Civil Society Networks Fund

David Mundell: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Robert Carr Fund in advancing HIV and health outcomes for inadequately served populations.

David Mundell: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of funding the Robert Carr Fund to support the achievement of the targets in the UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy 2024-27.

David Mundell: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Robert Carr Fund in advancing human rights of inadequately served populations.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK is proud to be a long-term funder of the Robert Carr Fund (RCF), we consider it to be a very effective mechanism that supports the leadership, priorities and rights of some of the most marginalised people, in order to expand their access to the HIV, SRHR and health services they need.Robert Carr is the world's leading international fund focused on funding global and regional networks led by, involving, and serving people who face a higher HIV risk than the general population, systematic human rights violations, and barriers to information and HIV and SRH services.Working with community-led and grassroots organisations is key to achieving the targets in the Global AIDS Strategy. Our investment into the Robert Carr Fund, along with other organisations such as the Global Fund and UNAIDS, is important in helping countries to implement actions and make progress towards targets under the Strategy.

Togo: Politics and Government

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with (a) his Togolese counterpart, (b) the Economic Community of West African States and (c) the African Union on the impact on democratic accountability in Togo of recent constitutional reforms; and what steps he is taking to support monitoring of the forthcoming elections in that country.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government engages with the Government of Togo through our High Commission in Accra. We encourage a peaceful and inclusive dialogue in Togo, to work through constitutional reforms; and we urge the Government to set a new date for legislative and regional elections without delay. The UK will continue to engage partners, including ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), and monitor for further developments.

Senegal: Elections

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department is taking to support free, fair and peaceful elections in Senegal.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: Peaceful, free and credible elections are essential to Senegal's stability. Our Ambassador and Embassy in Dakar regularly engage with the Senegalese Government and civil society groups, together with international partners to reinforce these messages. The Embassy coordinated closely with international partners to observe the Senegalese Presidential elections, including by sending diplomatic staff as observers to polling stations across the country. British Embassy Dakar have also supported civil society groups through ODA programme funding to strengthen democratic practices, specifically media freedom during the elections period.

Senegal: Politics and Government

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the recent election postponements in Senegal on the (a) democratic stability and (b) international reputation of that country; and whether he is taking steps with his Senegalese counterpart to help improve the (i) democratic stability and (ii) international reputation of that country.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The recent presidential elections and peaceful transition of power have demonstrated the strength of Senegal's democracy and institutions, reinforcing its democratic tradition. The Senegalese electoral commission, civil society, and international observers judged the elections to have been democratic and transparent, with few incidents. We will continue to work with the Senegalese government, international partners and civil society to support Senegal's stability, prosperity and sustainable development.

Tuberculosis: Drug Resistance

Patrick Grady: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent steps his Department has taken with the United Nations to help tackle (a) drug-resistant tuberculosis and (b) antimicrobial resistance.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The department actively contributed to the High Level Meeting on Tuberculosis held at the UN General Assembly last September, at which Lord Ahmad represented the UK. The UK's current £1billion commitment to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will support treatment for 41,800 people with Multi-Drug Resistant TB.The UK funds major programmes and research to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and strengthen health, water, sanitation, and hygiene systems. The High-Level Meeting on AMR is an excellent opportunity to catalyse global progress, set high ambitions across the One Health spectrum, and promote equitable access to and stewardship of antimicrobials.

Overseas Investment: Fossil Fuels and Renewable Energy

Dan Carden: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2024 to Question 19159 on Overseas Investment: Fossil Fuels, if he will publish a full energy portfolio for British International Investment setting out investments in (a) fossil fuels and (b) renewable energy in (i) 2021, (ii) 2022 and (iii) 2023.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: BII already discloses the percentage of assets in its portfolio that can be considered climate finance and 'carbon-related' (i.e. in the fossil fuel value chain) as part of its annual Task Force on Climate related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reporting in its Annual Accounts (published on BII's website), in line with TCFD recommendations.The UK's Development White Paper set the ambition for BII to become the most transparent bilateral Development Finance Institution. Subsequently, BII has published a Transparency Roadmap. For its existing portfolio, the Roadmap commits BII to state whether an investment is fossil fuel or renewable energy power generation. This will be available on its public investment database by the end of the year.

Corruption

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what the annual budget for the UK Action Against Corruption programme (a) was in 2023-24 and (b) is for 2024-25.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The annual budget for the UK Action Against Corruption Programme in 2023-2024 was £5,921,089.The projected budget for 2024-2025 is up to £6,685,000.

Russia: Oil

Neil Coyle: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of sanctioning individual vessels involved in the transportation by sea of Russian oil since 2022.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: The UK has sanctioned over 2000 individuals and entities under the Russia sanctions regime, including those who support Russia's efforts to circumvent UK and G7 oil sanctions. We will build on this action by enhancing our power to sanction individual vessels under the Russia sanctions regime. The enhanced power will allow us to be even more targeted and will increase Russia's costs further, including where Russia uses the shadow fleet to export its oil by sea.

Israel: Palestinians

Dan Carden: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 entitled Anatomy of a Genocide, published on 25 March 2024, A/HRC/55/73.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas in line with International Humanitarian Law, as we have said from the outset. Our view is that Israel's actions in Gaza cannot be described as a genocide, but we also remain clear that formal determination of genocide should be based upon the final judgment of a competent court.There must be a reduction in civilian casualties. All parties must act within International Humanitarian Law. We want to see Israel take greater care to limit its operations to military targets and avoid harming civilians and destroying homes.

UNRWA: Finance

Alan Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2024 to Question 18833 on UNRWA: Finance, how much funding he has allocated to UNWRA for the financial year 2024-25; what his criteria are to resume funding; what discussions he is having on resuming funding; and whether he has undertaken an impact assessment on the pausing of funding.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: We have paused any future funding of UNRWA.We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General. We want UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again. We are working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion, not least because UNRWA have a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza.Our decision to pause future funding to UNRWA has no impact on the UK's contribution to the humanitarian response. We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to people in Gaza who desperately need it, including through other UN agencies and British charities. We trebled our aid commitment this financial year and we are doing everything we can to get more aid in as quickly as possible by land, sea and air. UK funding has supported the work of partners including the British Red Cross, World Food Programme, UNICEF and Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) to deliver vital supplies.

Overseas Investment: Fossil Fuels

Dan Carden: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2024 to Question 19159 on Overseas Investment: Fossil Fuels, what his planned timescale is for ending support for the overseas fossil fuel sector.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Government's policy on supporting overseas fossil fuel projects is set out at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65840f10fc07f300128d45e9/aligning-uk-international-support-for-the-clean-energy-transition.pdf. This policy has been in force since 31 March 2021.All investment commitments made by BII since December 2020 meet the conditions set out in BII's Climate Change Strategy and the UK Government's fossil fuel policy. BII are committed to Paris alignment and to reaching net zero at a portfolio level by 2050. A quick sale of existing fossil fuel assets would simply offload the problem to other potentially less responsible investors and may not offer value for money for the British taxpayer.

Israel: Arms Trade

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of suspending the Government’s (a) trade agreements and (b) arms licenses with Israel.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK's strategic partnership with Israel includes trade. As the Secretary of State for Business and Trade told the House on 7 March, Israel remains a part of the FTA programme, negotiations continue, and she has recently discussed with the Israeli Minister of Economy our existing trading relationship as well as how Israel is managing the challenges of working on an FTA while fighting a war.All export license applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.

Preventing Sexual Violence against Women Summit

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what the total cost to the public purse was of hosting the Preventing Sexual Violence summit in November 2022 at the Elizabeth II centre.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) International Conference, hosted by the former Foreign Secretary and Lord Ahmad on 28-29 November 2022 was a key opportunity to turn the dial on the global response to conflict-related sexual violence. Over 1,000 delegates attended, including survivors, civil society, multilateral partners, and representatives from at least 57 countries. 53 countries endorsed the Political Declaration made at the conference, with 42 countries making concrete national commitments. The total cost of delivering this conference was approximately £4.2 million, which was under the original budget.

Department for Transport

Rolling Stock: Procurement

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish his Department's strategy on rolling stock procurement.

Huw Merriman: I wrote to train manufacturers in January 2024 to provide an overview of current and expected rolling stock opportunities, which include upcoming competitions being run by Northern, Southeastern, TransPennine and Chiltern. This is published on-line here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/current-and-expected-rolling-stock-procurement-opportunities. These contracts are worth an estimated £3.6 billion alongside significant maintenance and refurbishment opportunities. I have asked my officials to consider what additional information we could provide to the market in the coming months.

Roads: Litter

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure National Highways keeps (a) roads and (b) verges clear of litter.

Guy Opperman: National Highways survey and grade the Strategic Road Network in accordance with The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Code of Practice for Litter and Refuse. National Highways teams patrol the Strategic Road Network and collect litter daily where it is safe to do so. National Highways carries out weekly inspections on its network, ensuring that it prioritises the clearance of the worst affected areas. National Highways also takes advantage of planned closures for other works to undertake additional litter picks.  National Highways’ grading activities are reported and monitored via its corporate Performance Indicator of the percentage of the Strategic Road Network where litter is graded at A or B as defined in the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse. National Highways strategy is to simultaneously reduce the need for litter picking and collection by encouraging behavioural change whilst also providing an effective litter clearing service. National Highways takes a data-led approach to litter clearing activities to ensure that litter hotspots are quickly identified and that resources are targeted effectively. In 2023-24, National Highways collected over 50,000 bags of litter from roads under its supervision. The Office for Road and Rail, as Highways Monitor, also plays an important role in monitoring National Highways in areas such as litter on behalf of the Secretary of State, ensuring National Highways deliver its commitments as set out in the Roads Investment Strategy and holding National Highways to account for its licence commitments.

Avanti West Coast and South Western Railway: Contracts

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the (a) Avanti and (b) South Western train contracts.

Huw Merriman: For Avanti West Coast (AWC), no assessment has been made as the operator has a contract with a core term until 15 October 2026, after which the Department can terminate the contract at any point with three months' notice. The National Rail Contract for South Western Railway ends in May 2025 having been extended by the maximum two-year period to a maximum term of four years. A Prior Information Notice was issued on 2 April 2024 setting out the Department’s intention to seek to obtain a Direct Award with SWR at the end of the current contract. The proposed Direct Award is expected to have a core term of three years and a potential maximum term of up to eight years.

Roads: Litter

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he can take if National Highways fail to clear litter from (a) roads and (b) verges; and what discussions he has had with that agency on such clearance.

Guy Opperman: The Department for Transport regularly engages with National Highways on the issue of litter clearance, and its performance is monitored against a litter performance indicator which helps to ensure National Highways are carrying out its legislative duty. National Highways strategy is to simultaneously reduce the need for litter picking and collection by encouraging behavioural change whilst also providing an effective litter clearing service. In 2023-24, National Highways collected over 50,000 bags of litter from roads under its supervision. The Office for Road and Rail, as Highways Monitor, also plays an important role in monitoring National Highways’ litter clearance on behalf of the Secretary of State and holding National Highways to account for its licence commitments. The ORR report annually to Parliament and the public on National Highways performance, including litter. If the Office for Road and Rail deem that National Highways is not complying with its statutory directions or complying with the requirements of the Road Investment Strategy, they may determine enforcement action to be appropriate.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Prosecutions

Julian Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many single justice procedures notices have been issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority in each year since 2015.

Guy Opperman: The table below shows the number of single justice procedures notices the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency issued in each year since 2015. YearSingle Justice Procedures notices issued20153,593201680,3782017156,9462018166,5432019158,728202045,458202163,1822022112,1212023181,873

Motorway Service Areas: Freehold

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, over which motorway service areas his Department holds the freehold interest.

Guy Opperman: The government, via its shareholding of National Highways, owns the freehold of 35 following motorway service areas:Birch, Eastbound and WestboundBirchanger Green, single siteCherwell valley, single siteClacket Lane, Eastbound and WestboundCorley, Northbound and SouthboundKeele, Northbound and SouthboundKnutsford, Northbound and SouthboundLeicester Forest East, Northbound and SouthboundMembury, Eastbound and WestboundNewport-Pagnell, Northbound and SouthboundNorthampton, Northbound and SouthboundNorton-canes, single siteSandbach, Northbound and SouthboundStrensham (Northbound Bound)Thurrock, single siteToddington, Northbound and SouthboundTrowell, Northbound and SouthboundWarwick, Northbound and SouthboundWatford Gap, Northbound and SouthboundWoodall, Northbound and Southbound

National Highways: Community Orders

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Highways England has used the community payback scheme in the last three years.

Guy Opperman: National Highways has collaborated with the National Probation Service, an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice, to provide opportunities for community service order candidates. In 2021 and 2022, National Highways was invited to make arrangements for litter picking trials and light maintenance at several motorways service areas including trial sites at Gloucester, Hartshead Moor, Chester and Leicester Forest East. In August 2023, National Highways also launched a project where candidates serving community service orders are assisting with graffiti removal and general maintenance in subways.

Motor Vehicles: Lighting

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the brightness of LED headlights on local communities.

Guy Opperman: All types of road vehicle headlamps are designed, tested and approved to internationally recognised standards to help prevent undue glare on a broad range of roads and environments. However, the Government is aware of concerns raised by members of the public and we intend to commission independent research shortly. While there are clear safety, security and economic benefits associated with the use of LED lighting, the scientific evidence base on its adverse effects is less advanced. The government is committed to improving the evidence base to ensure we understand the effects more fully before making further policy interventions.

High Speed 2 Line: Compensation

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will take steps to provide compensation to town and parish councils for time spent on (a) applications and (b) other work linked to sections of the HS2 that have been cancelled.

Huw Merriman: Policy changes are a common feature of Government and there is no mechanism or precedent for compensating local authorities or councils for abortive costs incurred as a result of changes in Government policy. Providing compensation in this instance would create wide-ranging and repercussive consequences for the taxpayer. Whilst abortive costs are unfortunate, they should be seen in the context of a broader package of support for local authorities that the Government is providing through Network North. For instance, a new £2.5 billion fund for local transport across all areas in the North outside the six city regions – smaller cities, counties, towns and countryside and as well as a new £3.3 billion fund for road resurfacing in the North.

Avanti West Coast: Contracts

Mr David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what payments (a) have been made and (b) he plans to make to Avanti West Coast under the terms of the service quality regime agreed with that company.

Huw Merriman: To date, no fees have been paid to Avanti West Coast under the Service Quality Regime (SQR). This is because the first period to be assessed to determine the Performance Fee under SQR relates to the scores achieved between April and October 2023, and the evaluation process for this period is still underway.

Roads: Accidents

Selaine Saxby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of changing the terminology of road traffic accidents to crashes or collisions.

Guy Opperman: Where possible, the Department no longer uses the word ‘accidents’. The appropriate terms to use are ‘crashes’, ‘collisions’ and ‘incidents’. We encourage others to do so, too.However, the word ‘accident’ continues to be used in certain circumstances, for example where that is the term previously used in legislation.

Ragwort

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that ragwort is removed from (a) roadside and (b) other land for which the Highways Agency is responsible.

Guy Opperman: National Highways recognises that ragwort poisoning can have a devastating effect on horses, as well as being damaging to cattle and other animals. However, in the right place, and where there is no risk to animal welfare, ragwort contributes to the biodiversity of the flora and fauna of the countryside. On the strategic road network, where ragwort presents a high risk of poisoning horses and livestock or spreading to fields used for the production of forage, National Highways prevents ragwort spreading. National Highways policy for Common Ragwort control applies Defra’s ‘Code of Practice on how to Prevent the Spread of Ragwort’.

A5: Shropshire

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve safety at the A5 Shotatton Crossroads.

Guy Opperman: The A5 Shotatton Crossroads is already subject to a 40 mile per hour speed limit to reduce accident risk, and this is enforced by fixed cameras. Accidents still do occur, most recently on 27 March. National Highways is currently undertaking a route safety study of the A5, from the A5/A458 Churncote roundabout, west of Shrewsbury as far as the Welsh Border near Chirk. This study will examine collision data and recorded safety issues along the route, with a view to providing a consistent safety approach for users of this route. National Highways expects the work to include improved traffic signage, edge markers/bollards, and road markings. At present, this study has not identified further safety measures, at the Shotatton crossroads junction but this may change as the study develops.

Bus Services: Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire

Sarah Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funding his Department provides to local authorities to ensure the maintenance of cross-boundary bus services in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Sarah Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of funding for local bus services across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Guy Opperman: In England, the majority of bus services outside London operate on a commercial basis. Where commercial service provision is insufficient to meet the needs of local communities, local authorities can subsidise bus services where this represents value for money. This ensures that service provision is aligned with local needs. In instances where bus services cross local authority boundaries, the Department for Transport expects the relevant local authorities to work closely with operators and passengers to ensure the delivery of bus services that reflect local need. The Government recognises the importance of local bus services to ensuring communities can stay connected and has announced over £4.5 billion to support and improve bus services since 2020. This includes over £2 billion to help local authorities deliver their Bus Service Improvement Plans, of which Central Bedfordshire Council and Hertfordshire County Council have been allocated over £4.4 million and £32.7 million respectively between 2022/23 and 2024/25. The Government also makes over £200 million available to bus operators every year through the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) to help them maintain their networks. A further £42 million in BSOG funding is provided directly to local authorities to help subsidise socially necessary bus services that might otherwise be commercially unviable. Central Bedfordshire Council receives £136,394 and Hertfordshire County Council receives over £1.2 million of this funding every year.

Railways: Concessions

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will support the introduction of a railcard equivalent with a discount of a third for off-peak rail travel for people (a) living and (b) working in the north of England.

Huw Merriman: There are a range of existing railcards that offer one third off most rail fares that are available to people living and working in the north of England; these include the Senior Railcard, the 26-30 Railcard and the Disabled Persons Railcard.Any new discounts or concessions made to rail fares must consider the effect on a certain individual or group and be balanced against the financial impact on fare payers in general and the public purse.

Roads: Horse Riding

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help improve the safety of (a) horses and (b) horse riders on roads.

Guy Opperman: The Government takes the safety of horse riders and other vulnerable road users very seriously and is committed to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on England’s roads. Following Parliamentary approval, The Highway Code was updated on 29 January 2022 to include changes to improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.

Airports: Unmanned Air Vehicles

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve the (a) detection and (b) management of drones around UK airports.

Anthony Browne: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulate the use of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (drones) to ensure the use of drones remains safe and secure. Some airports in the UK are already using drone detection systems supplied by third parties to detect and/or manage drone activities within their airspace.

Driving Tests: Waiting Lists

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average waiting time for a driving test was in (a) England and (b) East Midlands as of 25 March 2024.

Guy Opperman: The average waiting time for a car practical driving test in England, in February 2024, was 17.5 weeks. The average waiting time for a car practical driving test in the East Midlands, in February 2024, was 17.6 weeks.

Roads: Safety

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that road safety improvements committed to in the register of undertakings and assurances for HS2 will be fulfilled.

Huw Merriman: The Secretary of State takes compliance with all HS2 undertakings and assurances (U&As), including those which relate to road safety, very seriously. In most cases, day to day responsibility for compliance is delegated to HS2 Ltd or the relevant contractor. HS2 Ltd completes regular reviews of each U&A on the register and ensures that a suitable plan for compliance with each U&A is in place. HS2 Ltd also records evidence to demonstrate compliance and performs risk-based assurance. Overall compliance is monitored by the Department. Assurance #2047 on the register committed the Government to provide up to £30 million to improve road safety along the HS2 line of route. The Department informed relevant local authorities of their allocations from this HS2 Road Safety Fund in 2017. Since then, local authorities have been drawing down these funds for use in accordance with their own locally agreed priorities.

Department for Transport: Social Media

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance his Department provides to officials on the use of the social media platforms (a) X and (b) LinkedIn.

Anthony Browne: The Department’s policy for the use of social media platforms X and LinkedIn is available online, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport/about/social-media-use. The Civil Service Code provides wider guidance in relation to the conduct of civil servants and is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-code/the-civil-service-code.The Department for Transport and its agencies (DVLA, DVSA, MCGA, VCA and ATE) follow the guidance set out in these policies. Further guidance is provided to all staff in the Social Media Policy for DfT and Executive Agencies, available on the staff intranet.

Avanti West Coast: Standards

Mr David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2024 to Question 9010 on Avanti West Coast: Standards, how many part cancellations of Avanti West Coast scheduled services have occurred as a result of shortage of crew since 1 January 2024.

Huw Merriman: Avanti West Coast (AWC) has reported a total of 292 part cancelations attributed to train crew shortages compared to 18,671 planned services between 1 January 2024 and 18 March 2024.   Traincrew shortages, linked to a lack of driver overtime and ongoing industrial action, present a challenge to running services with the reliability passengers expect. Difficulties in managing historic train crew terms and conditions will continue to impact AWC services until modernisation of working arrangements can be agreed.

Roads: Safety

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much money has been allocated from the HS2 Road Safety Fund in (a) total and (b) each local authority area.

Huw Merriman: The total amount that has been allocated from the HS2 Road Safety Fund is £29,660,000. This has been allocated to local authorities as set out in the table below: Road Safety FundLocal authorityAllocationCamden£2,425,000Westminster£1,560,000Ealing£1,010,000Hillingdon£645,000Hertfordshire£1,165,000Oxfordshire£1,140,000Solihull£2,435,000Birmingham£2,660,000Warwickshire£8,045,000Northamptonshire£1,650,000Staffordshire£2,975,000Buckinghamshire£3,950,000Total£29,660,000

Department for Business and Trade

Trade Promotion: Northern Ireland

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what advertising campaigns directed at local businesses have been undertaken by her Department's trade hub in Northern Ireland since 1 January 2024.

Greg Hands: Engaging with businesses in Northern Ireland (NI) is a key priority for the Department for Business and Trade. The “Made in the UK, Sold to the World” campaign continues to raise awareness of export benefits and the free UK government support available to help businesses grow internationally. This year, the department’s Northern Ireland team has promoted specific opportunities to NI businesses through the Australia and New Zealand Roadshow and the Food and Drink Export Council’s Peer-to-Peer event in Cookstown. Businesses are encouraged to use the department’s services like the UK Export Academy and provide peer support via our Export Champion programme.

Export Credit Guarantees

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2024 to Question 17476 on INEOS: Belgium, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of new business outside the UK on (a) sites and (b) industries in the UK.

Greg Hands: I refer the Honourable Member to the response provided to Question 19719 on 25 March.

INEOS: Belgium

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2024 to Question 19719 on INEOS: Belgium, what estimate she has made of the number of jobs that will be created as a result of that guarantee.

Greg Hands: The Department for Business and Trade cannot provide a specific number of jobs supported. As advised in the response to UIN 19719, UK Export Finance's guarantee to commercial lenders will help secure new export opportunities for the UK that would not otherwise have happened, in turn supporting jobs across the UK, both in those businesses with which INEoS contracts direcfly, and in their supply chain.

INEOS: Belgium

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2024 to Question 19719 on INEOS: Belgium, whether her Department made an assessment of the potential impact of that guarantee on existing and competitor refineries in the UK.

Greg Hands: UK Export Finance conducted its customary due diligence in line with its policies and obligations to inform its decision-making about supporting Project One. This included consideration of environmental, social and climate change risks and impacts, but did not include an assessment of the type specified in the question.

Small Businesses: Telephone Services

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 22 February 2024 to Question 14506 on Small Businesses: Telephone Services, how much her Department spent on the operation of the Business Support Helpline in (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023.

Kevin Hollinrake: The Government supports all types of businesses through its core services, including GOV.UK and Growth Hubs operating in England.Additionally, we also provide, as part of this package of support, The Business Support Helpline, which provides information, advice, guidance, and support to around 30,000 people in England every year.The chart below details our last three full years' spending on this service.YearBusiness Support Helpline Spend2020/21£4.026mYears 20/21 expenditure was increased due to scale up activity in response to COVID and UK transition from the EU2021/22£1.887m2022/23£1.889m

Titanium: Russia

Drew Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of including titanium on the list of metals that are sanctioned when originating from Russia.

Alan Mak: Metals are Russia’s biggest export after oil and gas. The UK Government is leading on efforts to restrict imports to the UK of Russian metals, delivering on G7 commitments.In December last year, we introduced further restrictions on several base metals, including copper, aluminium, and nickel. These added to existing sanctions on products including iron and steel.The UK Government does not comment on future sanctions policy as to do so could reduce its impact. We will continue to apply pressure against Putin and his regime, until Ukraine prevails or Putin ends his war of choice.

Business: Investment

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to help increase business investment (a) outside London and (b) in (i) York and (ii) north Yorkshire.

Alan Mak: The Government-owned British Business Bank is supporting business investment across the UK including through its Nations and Regions Investment Funds. This includes the £660m Northern Powerhouse Fund II programme, supporting growing businesses across the North of England. Our Growth Hub network is also supporting businesses of all sizes and sectors across England. The Department for Business and Trade is working across the UK, including in York and North Yorkshire to showcase strong, commercial investment opportunities to potential investors and support business to grow. The Government has also agreed a £540 million mayoral devolution deal for York and North Yorkshire to support growth and business investment.

Food: Japan

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2024 to Question 15852 on Scallops: Isle of Man, whether (a) Isle of Man queenies, (b) Isle of Man manx loaghtan lamb and (c) Jersey royal potatoes were included in the original list of 77 food and drink products submitted by the Department for International Trade to the Japanese authorities on 30 April 2021 for which it was seeking geographical indication protection in Japan under the terms of the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Greg Hands: I refer the Honourable Member to the response provided to Question UIN 15852 published on 4 March 2024.

Holidays: Personal Injury

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress she has made on establishing an exceptional compensation scheme for holidaymakers who have outstanding (a) loss of life and (b) serious personal injury claims against UK companies.

Kevin Hollinrake: The Government understands that an alternative route for Thomas Cook personal injury claimants is being pursued that would potentially be financially beneficial to them. The Government is committed to establishing a payment scheme for customers of Thomas Cook with serious and long-term injuries for which the company would have been liable but for its insolvency, if it is established that there are no alternative routes to compensation.

Royal Mail: Universal Service Obligation

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of a reduction in Royal Mail service days on small (a) businesses and (b) online traders.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to Ofcom's press release entitled Universal postal service must modernise, published on 24 January 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of proposals to reduce the number of Royal Mail service days on (a) working conditions and (b) staff numbers.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to Ofcom's press release entitled Universal postal service must modernise, published on 24 January 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of proposals to reduce the number of Royal Mail service days on postal delivery targets.

Kevin Hollinrake: It is the responsibility of Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to ensure that the universal postal service meets the reasonable needs of customers as well as being financially sustainable and efficient. The Government does not have a role in Ofcom’s regulatory decisions. The Government will consider any recommendations that Ofcom puts forward, but Ministers are not currently minded to introduce new legislation to change the obligations on postal deliveries.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Reservoirs: Brent

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on what dates the Priestley Way trash screen that sits on the River Brent and enters the Welsh Harp was cleared by the Environment Agency in the last 12 months.

Robbie Moore: The Environment Agency plans to attend once a week to clear the debris and waste build up on the Priestley Way Screen. By exception, operatives may not attend if they are required elsewhere to carry out higher priority work that could cause flooding or an environmental incident (for example, responding to emergency incidents). The Environment Agency arranges for a grab lorry to attend site once a month (although this frequency does increase at times of heavy rain and higher river levels when the screen can become inundated with waste much quicker). This lorry takes away up to 3 tonnes of rubbish each trip. The Environment Agency cannot provide exact dates for when it cleared the screen in the past 12 months but can confirm it cleared the screen 43 times (this includes planned visits to end of March 2024).

Microplastics: Washing Machines

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a technical standard for microplastic filters in washing machines; and whether his Department has had recent discussions with industry representatives on developing a technical standard.

Robbie Moore: In Defra’s Plan for Water, there is a commitment for industry and businesses to develop low cost, effective microfibre filters in washing machines and encourage their use. Defra commissioned an evidence assessment to understand the efficiencies, costs and benefits of installing filters in washing machines to trap microplastic fibres shredded from clothing during washing cycles. The report showed that filters demonstrated a range of efficiencies and costs associated with them. We recommended that filter manufacturers collaborate with the washing machine industry to develop and implement standardised tests to provide unequivocal performance data for the relevant government departments to consider. We await industry’s proposals.

Microplastics: Pollution

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the level of microplastic pollution in biosolids; and whether his Department is taking steps to help tackle this issue.

Robbie Moore: The Government continues to review the regulatory framework for biosolids spread to land to protect human health and the environment. The Government has taken a range of steps to stop sources of plastics and microplastics entering sewers and moving into biosolids, including: We have already banned microbeads in rinse-off personal care products and the Government has been working at pace with devolved administrations to deliver a ban on wet wipes containing plastic. We recently ran a consultation on this and a government response setting out more information will be published in the spring. We have funded research to examine wider sources of microplastics, including tyres and textiles. Defra has also contributed to the design and development of the UK Water Industry Research funded and led Chemicals Investigation Programme (CIP) to improve our understanding of quantity and source of contaminants, including microplastics, in biosolids. This research will help to inform future policy. In Defra’s Plan for Water, there is a commitment for industry and businesses to develop low cost, effective microfibre filters in washing machines as a measure to reduce a primary source of microplastic fibres to wastewater treatment and the wider environment and encourage their use. Defra commissioned an evidence assessment to understand the efficiencies, costs and benefits of installing filters in washing machines to trap microplastic fibres shredded from clothing during washing cycles. The report showed that filters demonstrated a range of efficiencies and costs associated with them. We recommended that filter manufacturers collaborate with the washing machine industry to develop and implement standardised tests to provide unequivocal performance data for the relevant government departments to consider. We await industry’s proposals.

Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his Department's planned timetable is to consult on which activities should fall within the activity regulations under the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023.

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his Department's planned timetable is to consult on which activities should fall within the scope of the public consultation on the activity regulations under the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023.

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has met stakeholders to discuss which activities should fall within the scope of the activity regulations under the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023.

Mark Spencer: The Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 provides a framework for the introduction of future bans on the advertising and offering for sale, in England and Northern Ireland, of low-welfare animal activities abroad.Future decisions on which specific animal activities will fall in scope of the advertising ban will be evidence-based and subject to Parliamentary scrutiny. Sufficient, compelling evidence will be required to demonstrate why any specific advertising ban is needed.This Government continues to make animal welfare a priority and we are currently exploring a number of options to ensure progress as soon as is practicable.

Climate Change: Floods

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of climate change on flooding in the UK.

Rebecca Pow: The Government’s long-term flood and coastal erosion risk management Policy Statement, published in 2020, sets out our ambition to create a nation more resilient to future flood and coastal erosion risk. The Policy Statement recognises that climate change will lead to sea level rise and more extreme rainfall, with an increase in the number of people at risk from flooding and coastal erosion. It includes five ambitious policies and a number of actions which will accelerate progress to better protect and better prepare the country against these risks.For example, the government announced in March 2020 a record £5.2 billion investment over 6 years in flood and coastal erosion schemes to better protect communities across England. The government published the National Adaptation Programme 3 (NAP3) in July 2023. The NAP sets the actions that government and others will take to adapt to the impacts of climate change in the UK between 2023 to 2028. This forms part of the 5-yearly cycle of requirements laid down in the Climate Change Act 2008.

Water Abstraction: Licensing

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to reform the abstraction licensing regime in England.

Robbie Moore: As set out in the Plan for Water, Defra and the Environment Agency are undertaking a programme of changes to modernise abstraction licensing in England. We are working to move the water abstraction licensing system into the Environmental Permitting Regime. This will provide a modern, consistent and flexible legal framework upon which the management of abstraction can be developed to meet the needs of today and the future. Alongside the legislative changes, the Environment Agency is modernising its digital systems to maximise the opportunities the new legislation provides. This will bring new functionality to improve the way abstraction is managed, including a water abstraction eAlerts system which provides notifications directly to farmers. As the environment and our climate changes, the Environment Agency is adapting its policies in response. The Environment Agency has recently produced a regulatory position statement setting out how flood water can be abstracted for the benefit of abstractors but ensuring that the environment is protected. The Environment Agency is also undertaking a refresh of the National Framework for water resources, which looks at how best to manage water resources across England. Through this, abstractors from all sectors will come together to identify water needs and the best way of meeting them.

Water Companies: Public Sector

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing water companies into public ownership.

Robbie Moore: Since privatisation, the private water sector model (underpinned by strong, independent economic regulation) has unlocked around £215 billion of investment. This is equivalent to around £6 billion annually in investment, almost double the pre-privatisation level, and has delivered a range of benefits to customers and the environment.Government is therefore committed to the system of independent economic regulation and has no plans to bring water into public ownership. The Government is clear that to retain public support, water companies must ensure they meet high standards of transparency and corporate governance.

Agriculture: Water Abstraction

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to improve the collection of data in agricultural water use.

Robbie Moore: The Environment Agency regulates water abstraction in England. The information provided therefore relates to England only. The Environment Agency’s ‘Managing Water Abstraction Service’ enables abstraction licence holders to submit records of how much water they had taken electronically rather than on paper. The Environment Agency estimates quicker, and easier submission of returns data digitally saves abstractors £247k each year. Some 95% of returns now come into the Environment Agency digitally. Defra is working on rolling out a Water Farm Practices Water Survey involving crop types and volumes of water used. This will be an extension of the annual farming practices survey, which provides a snapshot of the farming landscape across England. It will give an opportunity to update data last collected in 2010 on agricultural water management. Natural England is this week due to report on its latest phase of Catchment Sensitive Farming water advisory visits in the Southwest of England. As part of the Prime Minister’s commitment at last year’s Farm to Fork Summit Defra has funded an agriculture project on supply demand balances which have been piloted in Cambridgeshire and will be rolled out to wider parts of England. The water data from this work will be used to update the next round of Regional Water Resource Plans on agriculture water requirements (together with the Environment Agency’s Water Resources National Framework which will be published next spring). A sister project funded by Defra will also include agriculture water use data to assess and screen local resource options (such as reservoirs and rainwater harvesting) to help groups of farmers improve their water resilience.

Trapping: Regulation

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of regulations on the use of snares.

Rebecca Pow: An industry-owned code of practice for the use of snares to control foxes in England sets out clear principles for the legal use of snares, using evidence from snare-use research to improve snare deployment and design.Anyone using snares has a responsibility under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to ensure their activities do not harm protected species or cause any unnecessary suffering. Anyone committing an offence can face prosecution, an unlimited fine or even a custodial sentence.We are looking at how snares are regulated as part of our continued drive to maintain the highest animal welfare standards in the world, and working to ensure the regulated use of the most appropriate trap and cull method which causes the least suffering whilst providing the greatest protection to crops, game birds or endangered species.

Electronic Cigarettes: Smuggling

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 1 March to Question 13992 on Electronic Cigarettes: Smuggling, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposal to ban disposable vapes on the number of illicit vapes in circulation in (a) 2025, (b) 2026 and (c) 2027.

Robbie Moore: As confirmed previously on 29 January, a ban on the supply and sale of disposable vapes was announced as part of the government’s response to its consultation on smoking and vaping. Defra has since published draft regulations outlining the scope and enforcement provisions for a supply ban in England along with a draft impact assessment. Final regulations and impact assessment will be published in due course. We continue to engage with relevant organisations on how best to support enforcement of a ban when it comes into force as well as exploring the potential for a future import ban.

River Deben: Repairs and Maintenance

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to commission the Independent Drainage Board to oversee the maintenance of the River Deben in Suffolk.

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will require the Environment Agency to commission the Independent Drainage Board to oversee the maintenance of the River Deben in Suffolk.

Robbie Moore: The Environment Agency has a strategic overview of the management of all sources of flooding and coastal change and are the lead risk management authority for managing the risk of flooding from main rivers, reservoirs, estuaries and the sea. The Environment Agency has permissive powers to undertake maintenance on main rivers. Where maintenance is the responsibility of the Environment Agency it focuses its efforts on those activities which will achieve the greatest benefit in terms of protecting people and property from flooding. The Environment Agency can enter into public sector cooperation agreements with internal drainage boards (IDBs) for watercourse maintenance. This enables the Environment Agency to utilise the IDBs’ workforce, skills, experience and supplier frameworks. Such an agreement is already in place between the Environment Agency and the Suffolk IDB to deliver effective and efficient maintenance in the river Deben Catchment. The annual maintenance programme for the river Deben currently includes channel clearance and grass cutting along with operational checks, the spend for this in 2023-24 was approximately £68,000. The Environment Agency anticipate a similar level of spend and maintenance activities for 2024-2025. Capital projects are undertaken as required, most recently in 2022-23 with approximately £121,000 spent on repairs to the river walls.

River Deben: Flood Control

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will increase funding to the Environment Agency to clean the tidal stretch of the River Deben in Suffolk to reduce the risk of flooding.

Robbie Moore: At the last Spending Review the Government increased funding to the Environment Agency (EA) for maintaining flood defences by £22 million per year, so now over £200 million per year is invested in maintenance. This funding ensures flood defences are kept in good working order. Maintenance is targeted to those areas where it is cost beneficial and will achieve the greatest reduction in flood risk for communities. The annual maintenance programme for the fluvial River Deben currently includes channel clearance and grass cutting, along with operational checks. On the tidal stretch of the river, the EA undertakes raised embankment mowing and maintenance, along with the operation and maintenance of tidal flood gates. The government has invested £68,000 in total for 2023-24 to maintain both the tidal and fluvial elements of the river and will invest a similar level of funding in 2024-25. In addition, in 2022-23, £121,000 of capital funding was spent repairing the walls of the River Deben. Future flood defence maintenance budgets will be determined as part of the next Spending Review.

River Deben: Flood Control

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to support landowners to maintain their own stretches of river along the River Deben in Suffolk to help reduce future flooding risk.

Robbie Moore: Riparian landowners, those whose land adjoins a watercourse, are required under common law to maintain the watercourse, including the removal of debris and blockages, which could cause an obstruction to the flow of water on their land, or downstream if washed away, as well as maintenance of the bed and banks, and any trees or shrubs growing on the banks. The Environment Agency has published guidance on owning a watercourse on GOV.UK. By April 2024, new Environment Agency engagement guidance will be published to help risk management authorities, Environment Agency staff, and landowners have more effective conversations on this matter. The Government’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Policy Statement sets out what we expect from those responsible for all assets and watercourses – including risk management authorities, other public and community organisations, the private sector and riparian owners – to invest in ongoing maintenance and ensure timely repairs where necessary.

Internal Drainage Boards: Finance

Keir Mather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on allocating the £75 million additional funding for Internal Drainage Boards.

Robbie Moore: At the National Farmers Union Conference in February the Prime Minister and Defra Ministers announced a new £75million one-off grant for internal drainage boards (IDBs) in 2024/25. This is following the winter storms and flooding and will be used to better protect agricultural land and rural communities. It will contribute towards helping IDBs recover and repair assets damaged from the recent flooding and will contribute towards modernising IDB infrastructure to lower costs and increase resilience to climate change. Defra officials are working closely with the Environment Agency and the Association of Drainage Authorities (membership body that represents the interests of IDBs) on the details of the fund and application processes. We aim to allocate grants from June.

Agriculture: Water Abstraction

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of making provision of data on water use rates a requirement for agricultural water licences.

Robbie Moore: The Environment Agency regulates water abstraction in England. The information provided therefore relates to England only. The Environment Agency assesses water use for agriculture as part of the abstraction licence application process both when it first grants an abstraction licence and at renewal. The Environment Agency uses the following guidance to assess water need and use rates: Optimum use of water for industry and agricultural dependent on direct abstraction - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The Environment Agency already receives information about how much water is used under abstraction licences in England. All ‘full’ abstraction licences must include requirements to measure or assess the amount of water abstracted. Licence holders must keep a record of how much water they abstract available for inspection. Licences that authorise the abstraction of 100 cubic metres per day or more must also send a return to the Environment Agency of how much water they have abstracted. The Environment Agency uses this information to assess compliance with licences and the environmental effects of abstraction. It also uses information about past usage to determine whether a time limited abstraction licence should be renewed on the same terms or for example have its quantities reduced. The Environment Agency collates information about abstraction from all sectors and makes it available to Defra in a report called ‘ABSTAT’. The Environment Agency is currently producing an update to the ABSTAT report and will provide it to Defra in due course. Defra and the Environment Agency are working to move the water resources licensing regime into the Environmental Permitting Regime (EPR). Under EPR, abstraction data will become public register information.

Animal Feed and Fertilisers: Ukraine

Dr Neil Hudson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the war in Ukraine on the (a) supply and (b) price of (i) animal feed and (ii) fertiliser.

Mark Spencer: i. The UK has a highly resilient food and animal feed supply chain which has coped well in responding to challenges in the past few years. Cereals and oilseeds make up a significant proportion of animal feed, most of which are internationally traded commodities. Subsequently, their supply chains are dynamic and responsive to global market developments in price and availability. These developments may be influenced by the war in Ukraine or additional factors unrelated to the conflict, such as weather conditions and currency fluctuations.Our high degree of food security is built on strong domestic production and imports from diverse sources. We recognise the essential role that domestic production plays in providing food security and resilience, which is why the government is committed to broadly maintaining the current level of food we produce domestically. We continue to keep the market situation under review through the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group, which monitors UK agricultural markets including price, supply, inputs, trade and recent developments.  ii. In 2022, nitrogen fertiliser prices increased to two to three times their recent nominal historic levels (imported ammonium nitrate prices were £870/t), due to increased global gas prices and conflicts around the world (including but not limited to the conflict in the Ukraine) as well as strong demand driven by high crop prices. The AHDB publishes a GB fertiliser price time-series for the most commonly used fertiliser products to increase transparency of market prices and show trends to growers. This shows a plateauing of fertiliser prices in GB from June 2023 until now. While this is a GB price series the same situation applies to the UK as a whole. This plateau in prices is partly due to global price factors, but also regional demand has been affected by poor weather and shifts in crop choices by farmers. Defra is continuing to monitor fertiliser prices and supply chains through regular engagement with key manufacturers and wider stakeholders. We are also working with other government departments to coordinate intelligence, and understand supply and pricing issues.

Agriculture: Procurement

Dr Neil Hudson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure an adequate supply of (a) animal feed, (b) fertiliser and (c) CO2.

Mark Spencer: a) Animal feed: The UK has a highly resilient food and animal feed supply chain which has coped well in responding to challenges in the past few years. Cereals and oilseeds make up a significant proportion of animal feed, most of which are internationally traded commodities. Subsequently, their supply chains are dynamic and responsive to global market developments in price and availability. These developments may be influenced by the war in Ukraine or additional factors unrelated to the conflict, such as weather conditions and currency fluctuations. Our high degree of food security is built on strong domestic production and imports from diverse sources. We recognise the essential role that domestic production plays in providing food security and resilience, which is why the government is committed to broadly maintaining the current level of food we produce domestically. We continue to keep the market situation under review through the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group, which monitors UK agricultural markets including price, supply, inputs, trade and recent developments. b) Fertiliser: In 2022, nitrogen fertiliser prices increased to two to three times their recent nominal historic levels (imported ammonium nitrate prices were £870/t), due to increased global gas prices and conflicts around the world (including but not limited to the conflict in the Ukraine) as well as strong demand driven by high crop prices. Defra is continuing to monitor fertiliser prices and supply chains through regular engagement with key manufacturers and wider stakeholders. We are also working with other government departments to coordinate intelligence and understand supply and pricing issues. CO2: Defra works closely with stakeholders across the food industry, to encourage CO2 contingency planning and resilience. The tightness in supply of CO2 has eased and shown more stability recently and the industry has taken steps to make efficiencies and use alternative CO2 sources where possible. The stable supply of CO2 is vital to several CNI sectors including food and water. We recognise the importance of CO2 supply for our key sectors. Over the past few years we have completed extensive work to build resilience into the sector including: monitoring and encouraging further diversification of production and supply in the UK; providing clarity on various regulatory questions, including through the Environment Agency’s publication of a Regulatory Position Statement on the capture, treatment, storage and use of carbon dioxide (CO2) from anaerobic digestion (AD) of waste; and working with industry on this supply chain through various forums. The diversification of this supply chain is being demonstrated through a series of recent industry announcements, such as British Sugar’s recent reopening of the CO2 capture plant at their Wissington site.

Flood Control

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2024 to Question 18569 on Flood Control, how many schemes which have been through an appraisal process have been cancelled; and when he plans to publish more information on those schemes.

Robbie Moore: The Government has doubled its investment in flood defences to a record £5.2 billion between 2021 and 2027 to better protect communities across England from flooding and coastal erosion. Since April 2021, over £1.5 billion has been invested in over 200 flood protection schemes, better protecting over 71,000 properties. As stated in the recent National Audit Office report, the Environment Agency forecasts that 1,500 projects will provide better protection to 200,000 properties by the end of the programme in March 2027. The capital investment programme is annually reviewed and updated to accommodate changes, including the introduction of new schemes or urgent works. This means the programme is dynamic and evolves over time. Projects are not typically cancelled but deferred until funding and resources allow them to progress.

Environment Protection: Bournemouth

Mr Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help maintain (a) Bournemouth's coastline and (b) the cleanliness of bathing water.

Robbie Moore: The Government is taking a range of steps to maintain Bournemouth’s coastline. The Environment Agency (EA) has developed and maintains a strong professional partnership with the local authority, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, through which the EA has jointly secured an investment of £36 million between 2020 and 2027 for a flood management scheme to better protect 3,361 homes from coastal erosion and deliver over £1 billion of benefit to the local community. £17.5 million was invested between 2015 and 2020 in beach management to renourish the beach and replace timber groynes. Additionally, there are currently works on site at Hengistbury Head to the eastern end of Poole Bay to repair and upgrade the vital coastal asset known as ‘Long Groyne’ with new rock, at a cost of £12 million. In addition, there are numerous ongoing studies into flood and erosion risk, such as investigating more locally sustainable sources of beach nourishment for Bournemouth, and the delivery of a cliff management strategy for the whole of Poole Bay to better manage historic poor drainage and land instability of the cliff top. The Government is committed to improving the quality of our bathing waters. Almost 90% of bathing waters in England met the highest standards of ‘good' or ‘excellent’ in 2023, up from just 76% in 2010 and despite the classification standards becoming stricter in 2015. Bournemouth has eight designated bathing waters; last season one was classified as ‘good’ and seven as ‘excellent’.

Dangerous Dogs: Scotland

Christine Jardine: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he (a) has had and (b) plans to have discussions with the Scottish Government on the potential impact of the Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types) (England and Wales) Order 2023 on the transport of dogs between England and Scotland.

Mark Spencer: Defra Ministers have written regularly to Ministerial counterparts in Scotland to encourage a UK–wide approach to the ban on XL Bully type dogs. This included highlighting the implications of the ban in England and Wales on the movement of XL Bully dogs between England and Wales, and Scotland. We also offered several meetings to discuss the XL Bully ban with the Scottish Government. Defra officials continue to engage with officials from all the devolved administrations on a weekly basis to discuss the implementation of the ban.

Flood Control: Finance

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and what proportion of local authorities have received funding for surface water management schemes from the flood and coastal erosion risk management investment programme; and what proportion of these schemes are (a) completed, (b) underway and (c) yet to start.

Robbie Moore: The Environment Agency (EA) has the strategic overview role for all sources of flooding, including surface water. This is set out in the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy for England. Lead local flood authorities (LLFAs) have the lead operational role in managing flood risk from surface water. During the first 3 years of the FCERM investment programme approximately 150 surface water schemes were delivered by other Risk Management Authorities. By the end of the programme, it is envisaged approximately 400 surface water schemes will better protect around 20,000 properties with a government investment of £200m. These schemes are within 174 different local authorities. This information is a forecast only, based on our current consented FCRM investment programme. The properties better protected figure is based on the best available information.

Microplastics: Washing Machines

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help prevent microplastics entering waterways from washing machines.

Robbie Moore: Government recently funded an external rapid evidence assessment to better understand the costs, benefits, and efficiencies of installing filters in washing machines. The filters aim to trap textile microplastic fibres during the laundry cycle and before discharge to sewer networks and wastewater treatment works. The assessment concluded further evidence was needed to determine how to avert additional costs incurred by consumers of new washing machines with filters, and the consumer’s sustainable disposal of used filters. Industry are currently conducting research and developing proposals to develop filters that meet this criteria, and Government are happy to review any research in this area. A water industry investigation of the levels and types of microplastics entering a range of UK wastewater treatment works reported that conventional treatment can remove 99% of microplastics by number and 99.5% by mass.

Export Health Certificates

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the cost to individual business of acquiring an Environmental Export Health Certificate for a consignment of goods being imported to the UK since the introduction of the Border Target Operating Model in January 2024.

Mark Spencer: We will publish the Economic Impact Assessment of the legislative measures required to enable the Border Target Operating Model in due course and no later than the Statutory Instruments are laid. This will contain summary data tables and they will include the requested information.

Import Controls: Fees and Charges

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's The Border Target Operating Model: August 2003, published in August 2023, whether goods in all risk categories are required to pay the common user charge; and if this charge will vary depending on the risk level of the consignment.

Mark Spencer: Defra has consulted on its proposed methodology and rates to inform charging levels and will publish an update on the Common User Charge shortly. This will include the Government response to the consultation. Further information on the policy and rates will be included in the upcoming publication.

Import Controls: Fees and Charges

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2024 to Question 17736 on Import Controls, whether goods checked at a Government-run border control post will be subject to any (a) fees and (b) charges other than the Common User Charge and costs relating to the acquisition of Environmental Health Certificates.

Mark Spencer: Port Health Authorities (PHAs)have charging mechanisms in place for covering the costs of checking sanitary and phytosanitary consignments, and the Government, in conjunction with devolved administrations, is working with PHAs to review fee levels and support the implementation of new checks of imports from the EU in early 2024. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is the competent authority with responsibility for the inspections of plants and plant products at Border Control Posts and Control Points. APHA charging rates for these inspections can be found here.

Import Controls: Fees and Charges

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2024 to Question 17736 on Import Controls, if he will make an estimate of the fees charged by privately-run Border Control Posts when processing consignments which are subject to the Border Target Operating Model.

Mark Spencer: Commercial Border Control Post fees are a business decision for the operators of those sites. Port Health Authorities (PHAs) have charging mechanisms in place for covering the costs of checking sanitary and phytosanitary consignments, and the Government, in conjunction with devolved administrations, is working with PHAs to review fee levels and support the implementation of new checks of imports from the EU in early 2024.

Large Goods Vehicles: Import Controls

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that hauliers comply with requirements of the Border Target Operating Model to subject consignments to (a) physical and (b) documentary checks.

Mark Spencer: The Government has been promoting the key benefits and changes by sector and timeframe that traders in the EU and EFTA will need to be aware of and ready for. The Government has been hosting a series of events and engagements, as well as promoting translated communications assets to businesses across the EU to increase business readiness for these changes. We would encourage all traders within the supply chain to work together to be as ready as possible for these upcoming changes. We are monitoring sentiment across key trading partners to measure readiness and understanding, and are seeing positive trends.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Local Government: Elections

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the notification provided to his Department and the Electoral Commission from the Returning Officer for Brighton and Hove City Council of the late delivery of 1,423 postal votes in May 2023; if he will place a copy of his response to the Returning Officer in the House of Commons Library; and what steps he has taken to establish the cause of the late delivery of the voting packs.

Simon Hoare: The Returning Officer for Brighton and Hove City Council is responsible for the conduct of elections to the local council, including the arrangements for the issue and receipt of postal votes. The Government recognises the important role that effective mail deliveries have in the overall running of electoral events, and we work with Royal Mail nationally to ensure they have appropriate arrangements in place, though it would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to take the place of the role of the Returning Officer in relation to a specific, local incident.This issue was raised on a 'for information' basis in an email to DLUHC, the Electoral Commission and the Association of Electoral Administrators at official level as part of ongoing dialogue on delivery of elections. Royal Mail subsequently investigated the matter, and we understand they responded directly to the Returning Officer in June 2023 with their findings.

Landlord and Tenant: Courts

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing specialist housing courts.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Justice on the potential impact of the Renters (Reform) Bill on levels of demand on the courts.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the effectiveness of court processes for the repossession of rental properties before the commencement of the Renters (Reform) Bill.

Jacob Young: With regards to specialist housing courts and the impact of the Renters (Reform) Bill on levels of demand on the courts, I refer the Hon Member to the answers given to Question UIN 203400 on 26 October 2023 and Question UIN 10066 on 25 January 2024.The Government monitors possession claim actions in the county courts using the Mortgage and Landlord Possession Statistics published quarterly by the Ministry of Justice. We will set out further details shortly about how we will assess the operation of the courts in the context of the changes to possession processes which we are introducing through the Renters (Reform) Bill.

Electoral Register

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing an automatic voter registration system for elections.

Simon Hoare: Individual Electoral Registration (IER), introduced in 2014, brought registering to vote into the 21st century by making it possible to register to vote online in as little as three minutes. It also ensured that every individual had control and ownership over the process.The UK Government has no plans to reassess its policy with regards to automatic voter registration, as to do so would risk undermining the principle of individuals taking ownership of registering to vote.

Levelling Up Fund

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make a comparative assessment of levels of poverty in areas that (a) have and (b) have not received funding through the Levelling Up Fund.

Jacob Young: The Levelling Up Fund is one of a number of Government interventions designed to level up all parts of the UK. Through the Levelling Up Fund we have prioritised funding to areas most in need.Our analysis of need takes into account a range of factors including skills, pay, productivity, transport connectivity and regeneration.

Ground Rent

Andrew Lewer: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of capping ground rents on the public purse.

Lee Rowley: Government has consulted on a range of options to restrict ground rent in existing leases and asked questions about the effects of these proposals. We received a significant number of responses from a variety of sources. A consultation impact assessment has been published and can be found at Consultation impact assessment - modern leasehold: restricting ground rent for existing leases.That consultation closed on 17 January, and Government is currently analysing the responses before taking a decision on how to restrict ground rents through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

Community Housing

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a statutory definition of co-housing.

Lee Rowley: We have no current plans to introduce a statutory definition of cohousing.

Buildings: Public Sector

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether regulations are in place to ensure that reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete is not used in the future building of (a) schools, (b) hospitals and (c) public sector buildings.

Lee Rowley: The manufacture and sale of RAAC panels is covered by construction products regulations 2013 by the designated standard BS EN 12602:2016. Buildings undergoing “building work” must meet the safety and performance requirements in the building regulations no matter how they are constructed or what materials are used, including RAAC.The Institute of Structural Engineers (IStructE) advise that RAAC can be an appropriate construction material if properly designed, manufactured, installed, and maintained, though they understand that use in UK has declined since 1990.

Property Management Companies

Ms Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when he plans to lay regulations setting out the responsibilities and qualifications for Building Safety Directors.

Ms Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether (a) right to manage and (b) residential management companies requiring the assistance of Building Safety Directors (BSD) will still be required to register by 6 April 2024, in the context of the time taken for regulations on the responsibilities and qualifications of BSDs to be published.

Lee Rowley: The Government is analysing the responses from the building safety director’s consultation and is considering whether to introduce regulations to enable the optional appointment of a building safety director by resident-led accountable persons in due course.The requirement to register existing buildings came into force on 6 April 2023. Existing occupied higher-risk buildings had to be registered by 1 October 2023. Appointing a building safety director is not necessary in order to register a higher-risk building. Registration is a simple process, and the Building Safety Regulator has provided guidance to support accountable persons through this process. In addition, existing arrangements, and third-party support, such as from managing agents, can also provide expertise and support resident directors who are accountable persons in complying with their legal duties.

Flats: Fire Prevention

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to (a) provide cladding remediation support for buildings under 11 metres and (b) ensure that such support is effectively communicated.

Lee Rowley: I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 19958 on 2 April 2024.

Islamophobia

Apsana Begum: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to tackle Islamophobia.

Lee Rowley: I refer the Hon Member to the oral answer given by my Hon Friend, the Member for Kensington, on 4 March 2024 (Official Report, HC Volume 746, Column 628).

Domestic Abuse: Victim Support Schemes

Apsana Begum: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of levels of funding for local domestic abuse (a) services, (b) counselling and (c) advocacy support.

Felicity Buchan: The Ministry of Justice is quadrupling funding for victim and witness support services by 2024/25. £154 million of funding has been committed per annum across this Spending Review period, totalling a minimum of £460 million over three years (2022/23 to 2024/25 inclusive). This is up from £41 million in 2009/10. This multi-year funding allows victim support services, and those commissioning them, to build resilience into services and ensure consistency in the support that victims receive.Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 introduced new statutory duties on local authorities to ensure that all victims, including their children, have access to support within safe accommodation when they need it. This includes counselling and advocacy support.Since 2021, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has committed over £507 million, including £129.7 million in 2024/25, to councils across England to fund this duty. Funding from April 2025 will be determined at the next Spending Review.This is a locally led duty. Each council must work closely with their Local Partnership Board to assess the needs of victims locally and commission the right safe accommodation support services needed to meet the identified need.

Homelessness: Young People

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what funding his Department has allocated to tackle youth homelessness in each of the last five years.

Felicity Buchan: The Government is committed to tackling all forms of homelessness and rough sleeping, including youth homelessness.Between 2018 and 2025, Government has provided £938 million through the Rough Sleeping Initiative, to support local authorities to tackle rough sleeping. We expect councils to commission services based on an assessment of the needs of their local community to make sure that all groups’ needs are considered, which will include young people. During this period, we have also committed £17.4 million to support local authorities to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping for care leavers.Since 2021, we have invested £1.6 billion through the Homelessness Prevention Grant, giving councils the funding they need to prevent homelessness and help more people sooner, including young homeless people.In 2022, we announced the £200 million Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP) which is delivering over 2,000 homes and support services for people sleeping rough or at risk of sleeping rough, including young people. Of these, over 650 are specifically for young people sleeping rough or at risk of sleeping rough.

Buildings: Safety

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his planned timetable is for responding to his Department's consultation on building safety directors published on 1 December 2022.

Lee Rowley: The Government is analysing the responses from the building safety director’s consultation and intends to publish the response to the consultation in due course.

High Rise Flats: Fire Prevention

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his planned timetable is for responding to his Department's consultation on Alternative cost recovery for remediation works published on 2 February 2023.

Lee Rowley: The Government is analysing the responses from the Alternative cost recovery for remediation works consultation and intends to publish the response to the consultation in due course.

Postal Services: Elections

Matt Western: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department has had recent discussions with Royal Mail on taking steps to help ensure that (a) election candidates’ freepost items and (b) postal vote (i) applications and (ii) ballot papers will be delivered on time.

Simon Hoare: I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 13601 on 22 February 2024.I can confirm that – as set out in that answer - I met with the Chief Executive of Royal Mail last month.

Social Rented Housing: Veterans

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how many veterans were on social housing waiting lists in 2022-23.

Felicity Buchan: The department does not collect this data centrally.

Council Tax Reduction Schemes: Veterans

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how many veterans received the Council Tax Reduction in the 2022-23 financial year.

Simon Hoare: The information requested is not held centrally.

Housing: Planning Permission

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to paragraph 61 of the National Planning Policy Framework, what discussions he has had with the Planning Inspectorate on their interpretation of the word advisory.

Lee Rowley: When developing new planning policy the department engages with a range of stakeholders including the Planning Inspectorate.The Government response to the consultation, published alongside the revised Framework, can be found at gov.uk. This sets out in detail the changes made to national policy following the consultation, and the reasons why those changes were made. In addition, the Government response set out that we intend to revise supporting guidance to provide further clarity on the changes to the Framework. The scope and timescales for those changes will be confirmed in due course.

Private Rented Housing: Rents

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he is taking steps to help tackle increases in average monthly rent for private tenants.

Jacob Young: The Government recognises the cost of living pressures that tenants are facing, and that paying rent is likely to be a tenant’s biggest monthly expense. The level of private sector rents is not directly a matter for Government, however, we are taking steps to increase housebuilding to help create a more sustainable and affordable housing market over the long term. The Government is on track to meet its manifesto commitment to deliver a million homes over this Parliament.The Government also welcomes new institutional investment in the private rented sector. The Build to Rent sector has built over 100,000 new homes over the past 13 years and they continue to play a part in increasing the supply of homes in the private rented sector.

Community Ownership Fund

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how the criteria for the Community Ownership Fund was established; and for what reason local authorities are excluded from applying.

Jacob Young: Criteria, eligibility requirements and changes to the Fund, have been informed by applicant feedback, stakeholder engagement, and lessons learnt. All information can be found in the updated prospectus on GOV.UK here.

Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when he plans to publish the Code of Practice required to bring the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 into force.

Jacob Young: Further to the answer given to Question UIN 15378 on 20 February 2024, following the call for evidence, we intend to publish a consultation on the caps on parking charges and debt recovery fees this year. The government is committed to reissuing the Code as quickly as possible.

Freeports: Ferries

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what powers he has impose financial support for new ferry routes as a condition for companies seeking to operate Freeports.

Jacob Young: I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 2213 on 20 November 2023.Freeports are not operated by individual companies, but are a partnership of key public and private stakeholders coming together to deliver durable economic growth for their regions.Private sector operators provide services to meet wider passenger or freight demands and so, new ferry routes are developed on a commercial basis.More information pertaining to Scottish Green Freeports can be found as this link.

Department for Work and Pensions

Restart Scheme

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department plans to spend on the Restart Scheme in the next three financial years; and if he will make an estimate of the number of people who will be supported through that scheme in the same period.

Jo Churchill: Referrals to the current Restart Scheme will be made up to June 2024, offering participants up to a year of support. As of the end of February 2024, around 150,000 people were receiving support and the majority will continue participating into 2024/25; in addition, around a further 50,000 are expected to start before June 2024. Spend over the next three financial years relating to supporting these people is expected to be around £400m, with the scheme operating on Payment by Result contracts. In the Autumn Statement 2023, funding was approved to extend the Restart Scheme, taking referrals between July 2024 and June 2026. It is estimated that the extension will support around a further 500,000 people from two years of referrals. Funding of around £1bn has been agreed for the extension, with some of this expenditure expected to fall beyond the 2026/27 financial year due to the fact the scheme operates Payment by Results. Please note  The number of people starting on the current Restart Scheme and associated costs are estimates for planning purposes, underpinned by assumptions about future unemployment forecasts, which could change, and do not meet the standards required to be included in the Official Statistics. Therefore, these values need to be treated as guide figures rather than actual figures.Payment by Results means that fees are paid to providers based on the number of people reaching sustained employment. This takes time to achieve, following a support period of up to 12 months. For example, this means that people starting in 24/25 financial year will contribute to the estimated costs in the 25/26 and 26/27 financial years.

Pensions: Consumer Information

Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an estimate of the number of users that will have accessed Pensions Dashboards by (a) 30 April 2025 and (b) 31 October 2026.

Paul Maynard: Pensions dashboard services will become available for widespread use by the general public at the Dashboards Available Point. A specific date for the Dashboards Available Point cannot yet be determined as the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions must first have regard to a number of relevant matters, including sufficient level of coverage, assurance of the safety, security and reliability of the service and testing of the user experience. Once satisfied that the dashboards ecosystem is ready to support widespread use, following consultation with the Money and Pensions Service, The Pensions Regulator and the Financial Conduct Authority, the Secretary of State will then issue a notice at least six months in advance of the launch of pensions dashboard services for use by the general public.Under the central scenario (best estimate) in the impact assessment for the Pensions Dashboards (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (which can be found at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2023/89/pdfs/ukia_20230089_en.pdf), we estimate the number of users of pensions dashboard services will increase to around 16 million in the years following the Dashboards Available Point.

Universal Credit: Fraud

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to paragraph 4.58 of the Office for Budget Responsibility publication entitled Economic and Fiscal Outlook, published in March 2024, whether he has made an estimate of future trends in the level of fraud in Universal Credit claims.

Paul Maynard: DWP produces forecasts of overpayments in the benefit system as part of its forecasts for benefit expenditure. These are reviewed and agreed by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), which uses them as part of its fiscal forecasting and to evaluate policy costings. As per our commitment published in the Treasury Minutes, CP 1029 – Treasury Minutes – Government Response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Eightieth report from Session 2022-23 and the First to the Sixth reports from Session 2023-24 (parliament.uk), we will set out our forecast in the Annual Report and Accounts for financial year 23/24, expected to be published later this year.

State Retirement Pensions: Women

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has undertaken any (a) research and (b) planning for a potential compensation scheme following the publication of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's provisional views on injustice and remedy experienced due to maladministration in communication about the 1995 Pensions Act in November 2023.

Paul Maynard: The Ombudsman did not publish his provisional views in November 2023 or at any other time. The Ombudsman published his final views on 21st March 2024.

Pensions: Consumer Information

Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when users of the new Pensions Dashboard will be able to access financial information relating to their pensions.

Paul Maynard: Users of pensions dashboard services will be able to access financial information relating to their pensions at the Dashboards Available Point. The Dashboards Available Point is the point at which pensions dashboard services will be available for widespread use by the general public. A specific date for the Dashboards Available Point cannot yet be determined as the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions must first have regard to a number of relevant matters, including sufficient level of coverage, assurance of the safety, security and reliability of the service and testing of the user experience. Once satisfied that the dashboards ecosystem is ready to support widespread use, following consultation with the Money and Pensions Service, The Pensions Regulator and the Financial Conduct Authority, the Secretary of State will then issue a notice at least six months in advance of the launch of pensions dashboard services for use by the general public.

State Retirement Pensions: Women

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish his Department's assessment of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's provisional views on injustice and remedy experienced due to maladministration in communication about the 1995 Pensions Act which were set out in the report published in November 2023.

Paul Maynard: The Ombudsman did not publish his provisional views in November 2023 or at any other time. The Ombudsman published his final views on 21st March 2024.

State Retirement Pensions: Women

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish his Department's (a) communications and (b) minutes relating to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's provisional views on injustice and remedy experienced due to maladministration in communication about the 1995 Pensions Act which were set out in the report published in November 2023.

Paul Maynard: The Ombudsman did not publish his provisional views in November 2023 or at any other time. The Ombudsman published his final views on 21st March 2024.

AEA Group: Pensions

Sir Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information his Department holds on the number of retired Atomic Energy Agency Technology personnel who have died in the last (a) five, (b) 10 and (c) 15 years without having resolved matters relating to their pensions.

Paul Maynard: The Department for Work and Pensions does not hold information on members of the Atomic Energy Agency Technology pension scheme.

AEA Group: Pensions

Sir Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to Q329 of the oral evidence given to the Work and Pensions Committee by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pensions on 10 January 2024, what progress his Department has made on formulating an adequate means of redress for Atomic Energy Agency Technology pensioners; and what his time-scale is for implementing remedial action.

Paul Maynard: Following the Work and Pensions Committee (WPC) on the 10 January, The Department of Work and Pensions officials have met with their Cabinet Office counterparts who have responsibility for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. Conversations with Cabinet Office are ongoing. This is a complex issue requiring further consideration, therefore there is no set timescale.

Housing Benefit: Veterans

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many veterans received Housing Benefit in the 2022-23 financial year.

Mims Davies: As previously stated, veteran status is supplied voluntarily by claimants therefore the information requested is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

WorkWell

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) planned spending is for and (b) expected number of beneficiaries are of WorkWell in each of the next five years.

Mims Davies: WorkWell will fund 15 pilot areas to join up the work and health landscape at the local level under one coherent place-based strategy. It will enable pilot areas to design and deliver a new early-intervention assessment and support service and a single, joined-up view and gateway into the services that are available locally to manage their specific needs. Funding includes a National Support Offer to enable the Vanguards to meet their delivery plans and a full evaluation of this pilot programme. We expect these 15 areas to provide services to approximately 59,000 participants over the course of the two-year delivery period. This is in addition to the wider benefits for local communities across England of improved work and health integration.

Universal Credit: Neurodiversity

Wendy Chamberlain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish any assessment his Department has made of the accessibility for neurodiverse claimants of the online portal used by claimants to access their universal credit accounts.

Mims Davies: The Universal Credit system is regularly tested to ensure it meets the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and all issues logged are resolved. This is outlined in our Accessibility Statement on GOV.UK found here. Furthermore, the Department continuously tests the usability of the Universal Credit system and includes participants who are neurodiverse in that testing. It does not publish assessments made on the accessibility of the system for these customers.

Universal Support

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) planned spending is for and (b) expected number of beneficiaries are of Universal Support in each of the next five years.

Mims Davies: The total budget for Universal Support is £1.4 billion which will provide up to 400,000 places during the lifetime of the programme. Once fully rolled out it aims to provide 100,000 places a year. Detailed planning and preparation is underway to determine how places will build to that maximum annual volume.

Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit: Veterans

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of collecting data on the number of veterans living in garrison towns that claim (a) PIP and (b) Universal Credit.

Mims Davies: As the hon. Member is aware, the department already collects information on those members of the armed forces community, including veterans, receiving Universal Credit. This information is not required and is provided voluntarily by the claimants. On Personal Independence Payment, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 13 March 2024 to question UIN 16600.

Unemployed People: ICT

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help encourage individuals out of work to undertake (a) digital and (b) IT qualifications.

Jo Churchill: Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches will engage with customers to better understand the steps needed to support their work search ambitions. Where digital skills are identified as a barrier to securing or progressing in employment, customers can be referred to available local provision. For customers in England, we have ongoing collaboration at a national and local level with the Department for Education who fund adult education provision via the Adult Education Budget (AEB). Learning providers, many of which are Further Education colleges, deliver training to address claimant skills needs in line with Labour Market demand. As skills is a devolved matter, similar discussions take place with key stakeholders in the Scottish and Welsh Governments to help ensure the employment and skills support offered to customers in the devolved nations is aligned. In addition, Work Coaches in England can use the additional flexibility available through DWP Train and Progress to signpost claimants to the Department for Education’s Digital Skills Bootcamps, which can last up to 16 weeks. For digitally excluded working age out-of-work and in-work Universal Credit customers, Work Coaches can also use the Flexible Support Fund (FSF) to procure devices, dongle, talk time, and 6 months superfast broadband in the home where the Work Coach believes this will support Labour Market progression. DWP has also ensured that all operational staff in Jobcentres, Universal Credit service centres, Pension Centres, and partnership managers who engage with customers and stakeholders are able to signpost to information promoting broadband social tariffs made accessible to claimants through DWP’s Application Programme Interface.

Jobcentres: Havering

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help expand the support offered by Jobcentres in (a) Romford constituency and (b) the London Borough of Havering.

Jo Churchill: The local Jobcentre team are collaborating with a range of partners to support people into work and help employers fill vacancies. In addition to hosting job fairs and delivering Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs). Romford Jobcentre is working with Havering Council, local colleges, childcare providers and other organisations to provide an employment and skills offer to help meet the recruitment needs of local employers. This includes outreach support at the Rainham Childrens Centre and Havering Council, working with family practitioners, social workers, and probation to provide a holistic approach to supporting families in the borough, as well as support with CV preparation provided through Havering Library service, a Job Fair delivered in partnership with Havering Works and SWAPs delivered with Havering Adult College. Disability Employment Advisers offer advice and expertise on how to help disabled people and people with health conditions into work, alongside close working with Change Grow Live, Havering Talking therapies, Havering Mind, the Social Prescribing team, and Richmond Fellowship. Romford Jobcentre colleagues also attend local events to highlight the support available, as well as Access to Work and Disability Confident.

Vacancies: Romford

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help fill job vacancies in Romford constituency.

Jo Churchill: In the constituency and across the London Borough of Havering, the local Romford Jobcentre team are supporting residents into work and helping those in work to progress to higher paid jobs. We are working with local and national employers to help fill vacancies quickly, delivering Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), recruitment days, Job Fairs, and work trials. The weekly job club in Romford Jobcentre provides support on CV preparation, job applications and interview techniques, along with information sessions on a range of subjects to help customers into work, including information about different employment sectors, advice on childcare, support for those with additional health needs and motivational sessions. The Jobcentre provides a bespoke service to employers, to match and screen candidates, and offers regular Job Fairs focussed on specific sectors and customer groups, with recent events to coincide with older workers week and national apprenticeship week. The team are also working with the London Borough of Havering to develop local support. In partnership with the College of North East London we have recently offered SWAPs for local customers to gain skills and enhance their applications for the Logistics and Warehouse sectors. Care Provider Voices deliver a range of adult social care opportunities, with Springboard offering opportunities in the hospitality sector.

Personal Independence Payment: Veterans

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department is taking steps to reduce the number of veterans receiving PIP.

Mims Davies: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is intended to provide a contribution towards the extra costs of people with long-term health conditions and disabilities and is available irrespective of their past or current employment. The benefit is non means–tested, non-contributory and thus paid regardless of any income or savings. It can be paid at one of eight rates depending on the level of the individual’s needs. Entitlement to PIP is assessed on the basis of the needs arising from a health condition or disability, rather than the health condition or disability itself. Individuals can be affected in different ways by the same condition and so the outcome of a PIP claim depends very much on individual circumstances. Where a claimant’s needs change they may see a higher or lower award or lose entitlement altogether. As PIP is needs-based and paid in the terms outlined above, we have no initiatives which are targeted at veterans.

Universal Credit

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of active personnel on Universal Credit.

Mims Davies: Serving armed forces personnel can claim Universal Credit in exactly the same way as any other citizen. Any entitlement will depend on a number of factors, including earnings and any other income; capital; constitution of household; and housing costs.

Carer's Allowance: Veterans

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many veterans received Carer’s Allowance in the 2022-23 financial year.

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many veterans were PIP claimants in the 2022-23 financial year.

Mims Davies: The information requested is not collected and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Employment: Poverty

Apsana Begum: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate he has made of levels of in-work poverty in Poplar and Limehouse constituency.

Jo Churchill: Statistics are not available at the constituency level. National Statistics on the number and percentage of people in “in-work poverty”, including regional-level data, is published annually in the “Households Below Average Income” publication. This can be found here.

Adult Education

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help ensure that job centres work with Further Education colleges to support adult learners to gain skills and qualifications.

Jo Churchill: For customers in England, we have ongoing collaboration at a national and local level with the Department for Education who fund adult education via the Adult Education Budget (AEB). Learning providers, many of which are Further Education colleges, deliver training to address customer skills needs in line with labour market demand. As skills is a devolved matter, similar discussions take place with stakeholders in the Scottish and Welsh Governments. Local Jobcentre Plus partnership teams work directly with colleges and training providers in their area to ensure claimants have access to the right skills support. In England, this partnership is facilitated in part by the Department for Education’s employer representative body led Local Skills improvement Partnerships.

Unemployed People: Basic Skills

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help individuals out of work improve their (a) numeracy and (b) literacy skills.

Jo Churchill: Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches engage with customers to better understand the steps needed to support their work search. Where essential skills needs are identified as a barrier to securing or progressing in employment, customers can be referred to available local provision which can include essential maths and numeracy training available through Multiply, English (literacy and English as a Second Language, ESOL) and digital skills, as well as other key vocational focussed opportunities. Through DWP Train and Progress the length of time Universal Credit (UC) customers can undertake work-focused training has been extended. UC claimants are now able to attend full-time work-related training for up to 16 weeks.For customers in England, we have ongoing collaboration at a national and local level with the Department for Education who fund adult education through the Adult Education Budget (AEB). Learning providers, many of which are Further Education colleges, deliver training to address customer skills needs in line with labour market demand. As skills is a devolved matter, similar discussions take place with key stakeholders in the Scottish and Welsh Governments to help ensure the employment and skills support offered to claimants in the devolved nations is aligned.

Universal Credit: Payments

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the most common reasons cited on split payment applications are; and what assessment his Department has made of the (a) suitability and (b) effectiveness of the application process in the light of those reasons.

Jo Churchill: The Department does not collect the information requested.

Employment Schemes

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2024 to Question 18113 on Jobcentres: Finance, what the individual incentives are in the two incentive pilot programmes for work coaches supporting people into work.

Jo Churchill: DWP ran an initial incentives pilot for a 6-month period from March 2023 until August 2023. A second phase of the incentives pilot commenced 1 January 2024 and ended on 31 March 2024. The pilot was in line with existing Reward and Recognition policy, with vouchers between £95 and £250 issued to individuals working in those Jobcentres that qualify for an award.

Flexible Support Fund

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) planned spending is for and (b) expected number of beneficiaries are of the Flexible Support Fund in each of the next five years.

Jo Churchill: We do not hold any official estimate for the expenditure.

Employment Schemes: Costs

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2024 to Question 18113 on Jobcentres: Finance, what the cost to the public purse was of the two incentive pilot programmes.

Jo Churchill: The Incentive pilots were funded from within the Department’s existing Reward and Recognition budget at no additional cost to the public purse.

Ministry of Justice

Telecommunications: Convictions

Sara Britcliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many communications operators have received a summary conviction under Schedule 1, Part 75(5) of the Digital Economy Act 2017 in each year since the commencement of that Act.

Edward Argar: The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the number of convictions for criminal offences covering the time period requested. The latest data available, until year ending June 2023, can be obtained in the following published tool: Outcomes by Offence tool: June 2023.No convictions specifically for an offence under Schedule 1, Part 11, Paragraph 75(5) of the Digital Economy Act 2017 have been recorded within the court proceedings database held centrally.

Civil Proceedings: Witnesses

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to paragraph 4 of Practice Direction 1A - Participation of Vulnerable Parties or Witnesses, how many civil cases involve each of the vulnerability factors listed.

Laura Farris: The information requested is not held centrally.

Crown Court

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the condition of crown court (a) buildings and (b) other infrastructure.

Mike Freer: The general condition of Crown Court buildings and other infrastructure is adequate, but I recognise that improvements are needed in some locations.That is why we are investing £220 million in the two years to March 2025 for essential modernisation and repair work across the court and tribunal estate. This will minimise disruptions, retain the heritage of the estate, and ensure it is fit for the future.We are working to ensure that those buildings most in need of investment are prioritised, providing a step forward in improving the quality of the court estate.

TV Licensing: Prosecutions

Julian Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many single justice procedure notices have been issued by the Television Licensing Authority in each year since 2015.

Mike Freer: The requirement to hold, and pay for, a television license is set out in the Communications Act 2003 and the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004. Under the Communications Act 2003, the BBC is responsible for the collection and enforcement of the TV licensing system.The BBC prosecutes most TV license evasion cases using the Single Justice Procedure (SJP). The SJP is a more proportionate way of dealing with straightforward, uncontested, summary-only non-imprisonable offences which almost exclusively result in a financial penalty.The data we hold shows the number of defendants prosecuted by the Television Licensing Authority and dealt with via SJP for TV license evasion cases each year since 2015. This can be found in the table below:Television Licence EvasionYear201520162017201820192020202120222023Defendants dealt with067,473136,793126,571121,02053,22748,49543,50433,460

Cremation: Babies

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) babies, (b) stillborn and (c) miscarriages were cremated in each year between 2020 and 2023.

Mike Freer: Data on how many (a) babies, (b) stillborn and (c) miscarriages are cremated each year in England and Wales is not held centrally.

Family Courts: Domestic Abuse

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to reduce family court waiting times for domestic abuse victims seeking to divorce abusive partners.

Mike Freer: In April 2022, the Government implemented the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act (“DDSA”) 2020. The DDSA provides a minimum period of 26 weeks to obtain a divorce, and benefits victims of domestic abuse by making it no longer possible for abusive respondents to exercise control by ‘defending’ a divorce and prolonging proceedings. The DDSA did not provide an exemption for domestic abuse victims from the 26-week minimum period because to do so would require a victim to set out allegations, risking further abuse by a perpetrator.The Government is working with the Family Procedure Rule Committee to consider whether a pilot can be established to test a new, fast-track procedure for contested financial cases on divorce under a certain value threshold. The pilot will aim to provide swifter outcomes for litigants, including victims of domestic abuse.

Family Courts: Standards

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to reduce delays in the family courts.

Mike Freer: In the Spring Budget, we announced an additional £55 million to improve productivity, support earlier resolution of family disputes and reduce the number of cases coming to court. This includes creating a digital advice tool for separating couples, piloting early legal advice and supporting the expansion of the private law Pathfinder model.We are also investing up to £23.6 million in the family mediation voucher scheme, which we intend will allow for its continuation up to March 2025. As of March 2024, over 26,000 families have successfully used the scheme to attempt to resolve their private law disputes outside of court.In addition, we are working with the Department for Education and other partners on the Family Justice Board to tackle the longest running cases and increase the proportion of public law proceedings that conclude within the 26-week timeline. The Department for Education is also investing an extra £10 million to deliver new initiatives to address the longest delays in public law.

Small Claims: Internet

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the official injury claim small claims portal.

Mike Freer: The Official Injury Claim (OIC) service is a free, easy-to-use online system owned and operated by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. OIC was built to be usable and accessible including to those with access needs or who prefer or require assistive or adaptive technologies.On-screen guidance leads both represented and unrepresented claimants through the claims process, supported by an online help-hub and additional written guidance. There is also a dedicated telephone Portal Support Centre who can assist claimants who need to make a paper-based claim. The OIC also provides translation services in multiple foreign languages.Ministry of Justice officials continue to work with MIB to increase awareness and improve the visibility of the OIC through identifying and implementing appropriate web optimisation. Regularly updated useful information on making a claim via the OIC is also available on GOV.UK.

Crown Court: Snaresbrook

Ms Harriet Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2024 to Question 18951 on Crown Court: Snaresbrook, to what proportion of email correspondence Snaresbrook Crown Court responds within five-working days of receipt.

Mike Freer: We do not hold the information requested regarding what proportion of email correspondence is responded to within five-working days of receipts at Snaresbrook Crown Court. HMCTS does not collect data on response times.

Young Offender Institutions

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of young offender institutions; and whether he has made a comparative assessment with secure children's homes.

Edward Argar: The secure estate for children and young people is composed of different types of establishment, in order to provide for the differing needs and risks of individual children and young people remanded or sentenced to custody. The effectiveness of all establishments in the estate is continually assessed through internal and external quality audits and performance metrics, which are published regularly.Our Children and Young People Strategy, which is in development, will be based on an assessment of the range of provision currently and potentially available. It will set out our longer-term goals for the future of the youth estate, and delivery of services and support to children. These aims include investing in smaller settings, such as the secure children’s home sector, and the new secure school.

Prisoners' Release: Employment

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on steps to help prisoners on early release find employment.

Edward Argar: The Ministry of Justice works closely with the Department of Work and Pensions to improve employment outcomes for prison leavers.We know that employment reduces the chance of reoffending significantly, by up to nine percentage points. That is why I am pleased to say that the rate of prison leavers in employment six months after release has more than doubled in the two years to March 2023, from 14% to over 30%.All offenders released on End of Custody Supervised Licence will have a release plan put together by probation that helps support them in their journey into employment.

Prisoners' Release: Housing

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the (a) number of housing placements available for prisoners on early release and (b) potential impact of the early release scheme on social housing waiting lists.

Edward Argar: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is committed to preventing homelessness and works closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the Welsh Government to do so. Prisons and probation have a statutory duty to refer someone at risk of homelessness to a local authority for assistance, and we have worked closely with DLUHC on the design and delivery of their Accommodation for Ex-Offenders scheme. We have set up a Cross-Whitehall Accommodation Board, attended by officials from MoJ, HMPPS, Welsh Government and DLUHC, to ensure collaboration across policy and operational areas.In July 2021, we launched our groundbreaking Community Accommodation Service Tier-3, to guarantee up to 12-weeks temporary accommodation to prison leavers subject to probation supervision who are at risk of homelessness on release, including those released under the End of Custody Supervised Licence measure. From July 2023 the service was expanded across all probation regions in England and Wales and continues to bring new beds online as the service embeds.In 2022-23, 86% of prison leavers were in accommodation on their first night of release from custody.

Prisoners: Mental Illness

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of people with mental illness held in UK prisons.

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of mental illness on the size of the prison population.

Edward Argar: The prevalence of mental health needs in prison is higher than amongst the general population and we are firmly committed to delivering improvements to mental health treatment for vulnerable people in the criminal justice system. An HM Inspectorate of Prisons Report 2022/23 highlighted that, of the surveyed prison population, 82% of female prisoners and 59% of male prisoners reported having a mental health need. The report can be found at: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/inspections/annual-report-2022-23/.Many people with mental health needs can be well supported in prison, and all prisoners have access to integrated mental health services commissioned by NHS England as per the national Service Specification for Integrated Mental Health Service for Prisons in England.However, with the right treatment and support to tackle the causes of their offending behaviour, many offenders can be managed more effectively in the community, and we are committed to diverting offenders with mental health needs away from prison or out of the criminal justice system altogether, where appropriate.Together with NHS England, the Department for Health and Social Care and the Home Office, we are strengthening Liaison & Diversion services, which are present in police custody suites and criminal courts in England. We are also working to increase the use of Mental Health Treatment Requirements as part of community or suspended sentences.To reduce inappropriate remands into custody solely on mental health grounds we are piloting a Health and Justice Hub in the Northeast, in partnership with HMCTS and NHS England, to improve the way that courts, health services and prisons work together at a local level to better support defendants with severe mental health needs.The nationwide expansion of the HMPPS Bail Information Service, as well as the additional funding recently announced by the Chancellor, will also help to ensure judges have the necessary information to make a timely and informed decision on bailing a vulnerable individual with confidence.Taken together, these steps will help reduce the number of people with mental illness in prisons and divert them into the appropriate support to tackle the root causes of their offending.

Community Orders: Pilot Schemes

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people completed unpaid work on the Community Payback Rapid Deployment Project pilot schemes between June and December 2023; how many hours of unpaid work were completed; and how many and what proportion of those hours were attributable to schemes run in the (a) Greater Manchester, (b) East of England, (c) Wales and (d) North East Probation Service regions.

Edward Argar: Between 19 June and 31 December 2023, a total of 8,809 community payback hours have been completed as a part of the Community Payback Rapid Deployment Project pilot scheme by 509 different people.Probation RegionCommunity Payback Rapid Deployment Hours WorkedProportion of Rapid Deployment hours worked per regionPeople completing Community Payback Rapid DeploymentEast of England92110.4%79Greater Manchester5,35860.8%193North East Region7878.9%64Wales5966.8%90West Midlands Region90610.3%54Yorkshire and The Humber2422.7%29 The data source is nDelius, the Case Management System used by the Probation Service. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the information collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system. While the figures shown have been checked as far as practicable, they should be regarded as approximate and not necessarily accurate to the last whole number shown in the tables.To note, the figures are different to those provided in parliamentary question responses in October and December 2023, due to work undertaken to improve the accuracy of the data recorded.

Wandsworth Prison: Staff

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the minimum (a) numbers and (b) grades of staff responsible for HMP Wandsworth are (i) during the night state (ii) when prisoners are unlocked.

Edward Argar: The information requested forms part of the prison’s Regime Management Plan, an operational document which provides information to staff on issues relating to the safety and security of the prison. Owing to the sensitivity of these issues, we do not consider that information contained in the document can be placed in the public domain.

Young Offender Institutions: Safety

Janet Daby: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many keep apart instructions were issued in HM YOI (a) Cookham Wood, (b) Feltham, (c) Parc, (d) Werrington and (e) Wetherby in each of the last 12 months.

Edward Argar: Because of the way in which the data are compiled, it is not possible to provide the information in the form requested.Non-association alerts are used as a means of improving the safeguarding of children and young people in young offender institutions in the public sector youth estate. Such alerts should only be issued after appropriate consideration, and where there is an identified need. Where an alert has been issued, the child or young person is able to mix with other children and young people in their residential units and in education.A “snapshot” taken on 25 March 2024 shows the following numbers and percentages of children and young people at each young offender institution in the public sector youth estate who were assessed as needing to be kept apart from one or more other children or young people in the establishment owing to safeguarding concerns. The decisions are often made at the request of the child or young person who is the subject of the non-association alert.HMYOI Cookham Wood: 46 of 58 children (79.3 per cent)HMYOI Feltham A: 68 of 82 children (82.9 per cent)HMYOI Werrington: 57 of 68 children (83.8 per cent)HMYOI Wetherby: 106 of 149 children (71.1 per cent)These figures are taken from operational oversight data.HMYOI Parc, which is operated under contract, is not included in these arrangements.The YOI population has decreased significantly – from 1,998 in the year to 31 March 2010 to 332 in the year to 31 March 2023. The cohort we now have in the YOI sector of the youth estate – overwhelmingly young men – present many complex issues, however 70 per cent were sentenced to custody for a violent offence. Our staff work hard to diffuse conflict and reduce violence, both between prisoners and against members of staff.

Oasis Restore Secure School

Janet Daby: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 13 December 2023 to Question 5313 on Secure Schools, what recent estimate he has made of when the Oasis Restore Secure School will be completed.

Edward Argar: The Oasis Secure School is due to open by the end of this Spring.The Ofsted registration process is scheduled for 9-11 April; this can take up to six weeks. If any remedial actions are required, there is a chance that this could cause delay. All efforts are being made, however, to meet the scheduled opening date.

Young Offenders: Mental Health Services

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he is taking steps to ensure that young offenders are provided therapeutic support (a) in the community and (b) in secure settings.

Edward Argar: Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) are central to supporting children in the community who are on the cusp of offending, as well as those who have already offended. Working as multi-agency teams, with representatives from police, probation, education, health and social services, and specialist workers, such as accommodation officers and substance misuse workers, they are able to tailor their interventions and referrals based on an assessment of a child's vulnerabilities, risk and needs. YOTs are increasingly moving towards becoming a ‘trauma-informed’ service, and most have access to a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services practitioner who will assess children and provide early intervention to young people coming into contact with the justice system.In secure settings, in collaboration with Health partners, the Youth Custody Service is committed to the delivery of an individualised, trauma-informed model of care for every child in custody across England and Wales. This approach ensures every child has access to a needs-based programme of therapy, interventions, treatment, and education. Interventions include a range of cognitive behavioural programmes, counselling psychology services and Family Therapy to promote desistance from future offending.

Probation: Staff

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has made an estimate of the number of probation officers required to support prisoners granted early release.

Edward Argar: We have increased funding for the Probation Service by an extra £155 million a year and onboarded over 4,000 trainee probation officers over the last three years.As announced on 11 March, we will reset probation so that practitioners prioritise early engagement at the point where offenders are most likely to breach their licence conditions, allowing frontline staff to maximise supervision of the most serious offenders.

Prisoners: Mental Health

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many Mental Health Treatment Requirements were issued per year in each year since 2019.

Edward Argar: We are firmly committed to working with our partners to increase the use of Mental Health Treatment Requirements (MHTRs), which can form part of a tough and effective sentence that enables offenders to tackle the health-related causes of their offending behaviour.There has been a sustained increase in the use of MHTRs, and the number of MHTRs sentenced has nearly tripled in the last ten years, from 760 in in 2012 to 2,000 in 2022.Data on the number of MHTRs issued per year in each year is published on the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly page which can be accessed using the following link: Offender Management Statistics quarterly: October to December 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).Annual data for 2023 is due to be published at the end of April 2024, alongside Q3 and Q4 quarterly data for 2023.

Prison Accommodation

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department's press release entitled First Rapid Deployment Cells unveiled to boost prison places, published on 3 March 2023, how many such cells have been built.

Edward Argar: As part of our commitment to build 20,000 prison places, the largest prison build programme since the Victorian era, we have so far delivered c.670 Rapid Deployment Cells across 12 sites and we are pushing ahead with hundreds more.

Treasury

Income Tax: Pensioners

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of how many pensioners will become eligible to pay income tax as a result of the increase in the state pension.

Nigel Huddleston: The Government is committed to ensuring that older people are able to live with the dignity and respect they deserve. The Personal Allowance is currently set at a level high enough to ensure that those pensioners whose sole income is the full rate of the new State Pension or basic State Pension do not pay any income tax.As with all aspects of the tax system, the Government keeps the Personal Allowance under review and any decisions on future changes will be taken by the Chancellor in the context of the wider public finances.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many of his Department's staff are seconded to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and for what purpose.

Bim Afolami: HM Treasury pursues secondments with a wide range of partners to represent the Treasury, deepen our exchange with other institutions whilst also honing the skills and experience of our staff beyond the Civil Service environment.

Treasury: Secondment

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to what overseas-based financial organisations staff from his Department are seconded; and how many staff are seconded to each such organisation for how long and for what purpose.

Bim Afolami: HM Treasury pursues secondments with a wide range of partners to represent the Treasury, deepen our exchange with other institutions whilst also honing the skills and experience of our staff beyond the Civil Service environment.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to tackle the threat of use by the Chinese authorities of UK membership of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Ban to access UK data.

Bim Afolami: We are actively monitoring threats to UK data and will not hesitate to take further action if necessary to protect our national security.Data can be exploited by those seeking to counter UK interests and we are taking action to secure our data. As set out in the Integrated Review Refresh 2023, this includes considering new levers to prevent hostile actors accessing our data.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the (a) financial and (b) political (i) benefits and (ii) disadvantages of membership of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Bim Afolami: The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is an established multilateral development bank (MDB) with a membership of 109 countries worldwide.The benefits of the UK's membership of the AIIB were set out when the government announced its intention for the UK to join the AIIB and in presenting the Draft AIIB (Initial Capital Contribution) Order 2015 for agreement by the House of Commons.

No-interest Loans Scheme: Northern Ireland

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to expand the pilot No Interest Loan Scheme to Northern Ireland.

Bim Afolami: The government funded No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) is being run by Fair4AllFinance, in conjunction with their partners. The pilot is designed to test the impact that NILS could have on addressing the needs of vulnerable consumers across the UK. Fair4AllFinance have now rolled out the pilot in England, Scotland and Wales. Fair4AllFinance will continue to engage closely with stakeholders, including the Northern Ireland Executive, in an effort to deliver our shared ambition to launch a pilot site in Northern Ireland.

Safe Hands Plans: Insolvency

Nick Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the oral question from the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent of 19 March 2024, Official Report, column 794, when he expects the Financial Conduct Authority will complete its investigation into Safe Hands Ltd.

Nick Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his oral contribution in response to the question from the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent of 19 March 2024, Official Report, column 794, if he will commit to an Independent Review of the funeral firm Safe Hands Ltd.

Bim Afolami: The Treasury and FCA have worked closely throughout the process of bringing the pre-paid funeral plan sector into regulation, as well as during the implementation of the new regulatory framework. On 11 October 2023 the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) announced that it was conducting a criminal investigation into Safe Hands Plans Limited. As I am sure you will understand, I am unable to comment on this ongoing investigation.

Climate Change: Investment

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2024 to Question 19040 on Climate Change: Investment, what steps he is taking to help support the national coordination of funding for climate adaptation.

Gareth Davies: The Government has set out the steps it is taking to respond to climate risks and opportunities in the Third National Adaptation Programme, which has taken an integrated approach through governance, engagement and coordinated policymaking. These steps, including those relating to the 2023 Green Finance Strategy, will inform future collective investment prioritisation through the usual government planning processes, including Spending Reviews.

Housing: Valuation

Paul Howell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answers of 23 October 2006, Official Report, column 1679WA and 8 October 2007, Official Report, column 227W, and pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2024 to Question 16860 on Housing: Valuation, whether the Valuation Office Agency uses locality adjustment factors to calibrate the automated valuation model for multiple regression analysis; and how many localities the Valuation Office Agency has created for the model.

Nigel Huddleston: The Valuation Office Agency’s Automated Valuation Model (AVM) methodology for Wales has been updated substantially since the cancelled 2007 English revaluation. The new AVM uses spatial modelling techniques of which location is a key element. The spatial model estimates a continuous field of location factors (which are influenced by various aspects such as transport links, crime rates, quality of nearby schools) rather than the discrete localities. I would observe that this is a policy proposed by the Welsh Government, and does not represent the policy position of the UK Government in England.

Economic Situation: Weather

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made an assessment of the (a) short and (b) long term impact of (i) extreme weather and (ii) storms on the economy.

Gareth Davies: The Third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) was published in July 2023. It set out policies and actions to respond to the 61 climate risks and opportunities identified in the independent Third Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3), including risks arising from changing climatic conditions and extreme weather events. As part of CCRA3, the Climate Change Committee produced an analysis of the monetary valuation of risks and opportunities, as well as an analysis of the indicative costs and benefits of adaptation.The Treasury continues to work to determine what additional research and analysis, including economic analysis, is required to ensure robust adaptation.

Tourism: VAT

Drew Hendry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate his Department has made of the impact of ending tax-free shopping for international visitors on tax revenues since 2020.

Nigel Huddleston: The OBR published a review of the original 2020 costing of the withdrawal of tax-free shopping in the Economic and Fiscal Outlook on 6 March, with a follow up supplementary document published on 11 March, which is available here: https://obr.uk/docs/dlm_uploads/VAT-RES-costing-review.pdf The government published its next steps on tax-free shopping in the Spring Budget 2024 which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spring-budget-2024/spring-budget-2024-html. The government welcomes further submissions in response to the OBR’s findings.

Tax Avoidance: Bankruptcy

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of people who will become bankrupt as a result of the (a) loan charge and (b) associated activity.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people have been issued section 684 notices by HMRC in relation to disguised remuneration schemes in the last 12 months.

Nigel Huddleston: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) only ever considers insolvency as a last resort. Anyone who is worried about being able to pay what they owe should contact HMRC, who may be able to agree an instalment arrangement based on the individual’s financial circumstances. There is no maximum length for these arrangements. Where people are facing insolvency, HMRC is not always the only creditor. Some individuals are declared bankrupt as a result of a non-HMRC debt and some individuals may choose to enter insolvency themselves based on their overall financial position. To date, HMRC has not initiated insolvency proceedings against any taxpayer solely for a Loan Charge debt. As set out in the answer to PQ 17136, since 2022, HMRC has issued around 2,700 decisions under s.684(7A)(b) of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 to disguised remuneration scheme users.

Tourism: VAT

Drew Hendry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has had recent discussions with airports on the potential merits of reinstating tax-free shopping for international visitors.

Drew Hendry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has had recent discussions with airports in Scotland on the potential merits of reinstating tax-free shopping for international visitors.

Drew Hendry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he had discussions with airports on the potential merits of reinstating tax-free shopping for international visitors before the Spring Budget 2024.

Drew Hendry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he had discussions with airports in Scotland on the potential merits of reinstating tax-free shopping for international visitors before the Spring Budget 2024.

Nigel Huddleston: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel  The government published its next steps on tax-free shopping in the Spring Budget 2024 which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spring-budget-2024/spring-budget-2024-html.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Vaccination

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions his Department has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on a respiratory syncytial virus vaccination programme.

Laura Trott: Ministers and officials across government meet regularly to discuss a wide range of issues, including routine and new vaccination programmes. If any RSV programmes are agreed to, they will be announced to the public and health professionals in due course.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Vaccination

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's advice on the cost effectiveness of a respiratory syncytial virus immunisation programme.

Laura Trott: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) plays a vital role in advising the government on vaccination programmes. DHSC are responsible for considering their recommendations.

Capital Investment

Peter Dowd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the return on investment criteria are for prioritising proposals in the next Spending Review.

Laura Trott: At the Spring Budget, the Chancellor announced that the Treasury will put in place a robust and comprehensive strategy for improving public sector productivity at the next Spending Review, putting these improvements at the heart of departmental settlements. As the Chancellor set out, building on work to date and the £4.2 billion of funding announced at the Budget, relevant departments will develop detailed productivity plans over the coming months ahead of the next Spending Review. Further decisions will be taken at the Spending Review.

UK Emissions Trading Scheme: Northern Ireland

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much his Department received in Emissions Trading Scheme fees from (a) Belfast International, (b) Belfast City and (c) Londonderry airport in the financial year 2022/23.

Gareth Davies: Belfast International, Belfast City and Londonderry airports are not covered by the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and therefore do not contribute to Emission Trading Scheme revenue.

Oil: Imports

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether any oil being imported to the UK has been (a) rejected and (b) turned away on the basis that it originated in Russia.

Nigel Huddleston: The Government announced measures against the import of oil of Russian origin or originating in Russia on 21 July 2022. Since that date, HMRC has implemented border controls so that if such consignments were declared onto the Customs Declaration Service, then HMRC would take appropriate enforcement action. HMRC has a range of enforcement options available such as education, warning letters, issuing compound settlements, seizures / disruptions and in the most serious of cases, referral to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration for prosecution.

National Insurance Contributions: State Retirement Pensions

Liz Kendall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2024 to Question 17582 on National Insurance Contributions: State Retirement Pensions, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of abolishing, rather than reducing, national insurance contributions on state pension entitlements.

Nigel Huddleston: Cutting NICs rates does not affect anyone’s entitlement to the State Pension or contributory benefits.

Blood: Contamination

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on compensation for infected blood scandal victims in the last 12 months.

Laura Trott: This was an appalling tragedy, and my thoughts remain with all those affected. The Government has accepted the moral case for compensation and justice must be delivered for the victims. As such, the Government intends to respond in full to Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations for wider compensation following the publication of the Inquiry’s final report in May 2024.

Wales Office

Shoplifting: Wales

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues, (b) police forces and (c) businesses in Wales on the incidence of shop theft in Wales.

David T C Davies: The UK Government continues to work closely with retail businesses, security representatives, trade associations and policing through the National Retail Crime Steering Group (NRCSG) to ensure the response to crimes, such as shoplifting, is as robust as it can be. Police Recorded Crime figures show shoplifting offences increased by 32% in the 12 months leading to September 2023 in Wales and England. However, the number of people charged with shoplifting offences in the same period rose by 34%, suggesting that we are now seeing a more robust response. We have also taken other significant steps to improve the police response to retail crime. October 2023 saw the publication of the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Retail Crime Action Plan. The plan includes a commitment to prioritise police attendance at the scene where violence has been used towards shop staff, where an offender has been detained by store security, and where evidence needs to be secured and can only be done by police personnel, showing the Government commitment to tackling this issue. Additionally, where CCTV or other digital images are secured, police will run this through the Police National Database as standard using facial recognition technology to further aid efforts to identify prolific offenders or potentially dangerous individuals. In addition, October 2023 also saw the launch of Pegasus, a unique private-public partnership that will radically improve the way retailers are able to share intelligence with policing to better understand the tactics used by organised retail crime gangs and identify more offenders. This will include development of a new information-sharing platform and training for retailers.

Ministry of Defence

Dstl: Staff

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Advanced Materials Programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the AI Programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Air Systems Programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Autonomy Programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Chemical Biological and Radiological Defence Programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Communications and Networks Programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Crime and Policing Programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the cyber security programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Defence Science and Technology Futures programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Deterrent and Submarine Systems programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Electromagnetic Activities programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Future Kinetic Effects and Weapons programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Future Sensing programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Future Workforce and Training programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the High Level Decision Support programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Human Performance and Protection programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Hypersonics programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Influence and Command programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Land Systems programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of people employed to the Maritime Systems programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was in each year since 2019.

James Cartlidge: Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and across Government. Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking.Dstl’s structure, and the wide range of expertise within the organisation, allows expertise to be brought in, as required, to support the dedicated programme technical teams deliver its S&T Programmes.Whilst information relating to Dstl’s workforce is published annually in its Annual Report and Accounts, detailed FTE staffing details in respect of named Programmes cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Leave

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) men and (b) women took Extended Special Unpaid Leave from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in each year since 2010.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Royal Fleet Auxiliary offer personnel the option of taking Extended Special Unpaid Leave.

Dr Andrew Murrison: Members of the RFA are given the opportunity to apply for Extended Special Unpaid Leave in the form of a career break. Such breaks enable employees to take an unpaid absence from the workplace for more than three months up to a maximum of five years to fulfil caring responsibilities, study, cover a period of Reservist Mobilisation or to take a break from paid employment. The following table contains numbers of RFA personnel who have taken Extended Special Unpaid Leave for each year since 2010.   20102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023Male135910811~9117~131313Female~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Note: Any figure less than 5 have been replaced by ~. This is in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

Armed Forces: Parents

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what dual serving parent provisions the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force offers to serving personnel.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The Ministry of Defence has a range of policies designed to support relationships where both partners are serving members of the Armed Forces.These include a number of Joint Service Publications (JSP), which, for example, set out eligibility for the occupation of Service Family Accommodation at a mid-way point between two different duty stations (JSP 464), provide Flexible Working and Flexible Service options to allow for changes in type of engagement and variation in working patterns to assist with family responsibilities (JSP 760), and gives options for the transfer of annual leave between partners and shared parental leave (JSP 760). These are supplemented by other single Service specific policies, as well as a Tri-Service Service Couples Network which acts as a forum to exchange information and advice.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Parents

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what dual serving parent provisions the Royal Fleet Auxiliary offers to personnel.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are employees of the Civil Service so have different dual serving parent provisions from the Royal Navy. The RFA are committed to empowering and supporting a diverse workforce and have a number of options to help support modern family life. For dual serving parents specifically, measures include a process to deconflict sea assignments, enhanced shared parental pay and a policy that enables those that have undertaken a qualifying period delivering a worldwide sea assignment to apply for an shore-based role for up to three years. In addition, RFA employees who have partners in the Armed Forces and who are being assigned to another geographical location outside of the travel to work area have additional protections and may apply for Priority Mover Status.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Women

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of personnel in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have been women in each year since 2010.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The information requested is provided below:  20102011201220132014201520162017Total Female Strength121129119120121117127134% of Total Strength5.2%5.5%5.6%6.3%6.6%6.3%6.6%6.9%  2018201920202021202220232024 Total Female Strength134136146159176173175 % of Total Strength7.0%7.2%8.0%8.7%9.9%10.0%10.5%

Ministry of Defence: Aviation

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's data entitled MOD's ministerial travel, October to December 2023, published on 22 March 2024, whether the published costs of the RAF flights taken by Ministers in his Department during that period represented the total cost of each flight.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The figures provided outline the net cost for the Ministry of Defence of the RAF flight and are a breakdown for each passenger relating to personnel costs and allowances.

Dstl: Finance

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding his Department provided for support to operations and crises at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the AI programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual budget is for the Air Systems programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual budget for the Cyber Security programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory is for the financial year (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual budget for the Defence Science and Technology Futures programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory is for the financial year (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Deterrent and Submarine Systems programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Electromagnetic Activities programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Future Kinetic Effects and Weapons programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Future Sensing programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Future Workforce and Training programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the High Level Decision Support programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Human Performance and Protection programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Hypersonics programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Influence and Command programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Land Systems programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Maritime Systems programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Missile Defence programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Security Systems programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Space Systems programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Specialist Systems programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Support and Sustainability programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Engineering Biology Project at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Human Augmentation Project at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the PULSAR project at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for support to operations and crises at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

James Cartlidge: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 2 April 2024 to Question 19791.Dstl Costs (docx, 14.9KB)

Armed Forces: Recruitment

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many full-time applications to the armed forces have been submitted per (a) constituency and (b) region each year since 2010.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The requested information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Ajax Vehicles: Procurement

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Table 1 of his Department's MOD trade industry and contracts data tables 2023, published on 28 September 2023, for what reasons there was a £24 million in-year change to the cost to completion of the AJAX programme.

James Cartlidge: The AJAX PPST22 In-Year variance of +£24 million was due to Defence Infrastructure cost increases at the Bovington, Bulford  Kirkcudbright and Warminster facilities.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Gambling: Rehabilitation

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the complaint made to the Charity Commission about GambleAware by the Good Law Project.

Stuart Andrew: The Charity Commission is an independent, non-ministerial government department. As such, it is not appropriate for the government to comment on the Commission’s approach to handling complaints it receives in its regulatory capacity.

Holiday Accommodation: Taxation

Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of ending the furnished holiday let tax regime on the tourism industry.

Julia Lopez: DCMS is working closely with other Government departments to ensure that different measures being considered across Government that apply to short-term lets are proportionate, complementary and easy to understand.

Leader of the House

Secretaries of State: Parliamentary Scrutiny

Lucy Powell: To ask the Leader of the House, when she plans to respond to the First Report of the Procedure Committee on Commons scrutiny of Secretaries of State in the House of Lords, HC 338, published on 24 January 2024.

Lucy Powell: To ask the Leader of the House, whether she has had correspondence with the House of Lords Procedure Committee about Commons scrutiny of Secretaries of State in the Lords.

Penny Mordaunt: The Government submitted its response to the Procedure Committee’s report on Commons scrutiny of Secretaries of State in the House of Lords on Tuesday 26th March 2024.As Leader of the House of Commons, I meet regularly with Cabinet colleagues to discuss issues across my portfolio and will continue to do so. Correspondence between the Government and the Select Committees of both Houses is published on parliament.uk.

Legislative Drafting: Gender

Nick Fletcher: To ask the Leader of the House, pursuant to the Answer of 15 March 2024 to Question 16442 on Legislative Drafting: Gender, when she plans to publish the further information for drafters on gendered language.

Penny Mordaunt: The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel’s drafting guidance was published on GOV.UK on 4th April 2024 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/drafting-bills-for-parliament) and has also been deposited in the libraries of both Houses.

Northern Ireland Office

Public Appointments: Northern Ireland Office

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what information his Department holds on the (a) gender, (b) disability status, (c) sexual orientation, (d) marital status and (e) ethnicity of public appointments that it has made in each of the last five years.

Mr Steve Baker: My Department collects diversity information in line with its equality duties and the requirements of the Governance Code on Public Appointments for all public appointments set out in the Schedule to the Public Appointments Order in Council. Information collected on appointments and reappointments is published annually by the Cabinet Office in the Public Appointments Data Report and can be found on GOV.UK. The Commissioner for Public Appointments also includes data in his annual report which is published at:https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/publications/annual-reports/

Civil Partnerships and Marriage: Northern Ireland

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) same and (b) opposite sex couples in Northern Ireland have converted their (i) marriage to civil partnership and (ii) civil partnership to marriage.

Mr Steve Baker: The General Register Office within the Northern Ireland Department of Finance is responsible for the administration of marriage and civil partnership law in Northern Ireland. They should be contacted for further information regarding this matter.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Research: Palestinians

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing further funding for Researchers at Risk Fellowships to be made available to Palestinian researchers.

Andrew Griffith: The current Researchers at Risk Fellowship Programme aims to respond to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has exposed Ukraine-based researchers and their dependents to direct threats. My Department is keeping the programme, which is delivered by the British Academy, under close review.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Energy Bills Discount Scheme: District Heating

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many and what proportion of applications her Department has received from heat suppliers via the Energy Bills Discount Scheme; and how many individual heat networks are covered by those applications.

Amanda Solloway: The Department has received around 14,400 Energy Bills Discount Scheme applications for heat networks. There is no centralised list of heat networks across the UK, or how many domestic customers these networks serve. The most reliable data we have access to is taken from the Heat Network Metering and Billing Regulations, which estimates that there are 8,900 heat networks serving residential customers in the UK.

Energy Bills Discount Scheme: District Heating

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many qualifying heat supplier certificates have been issued via the Energy Bills Discount Scheme.

Amanda Solloway: As of 28 March 2024, 12,743 heat network applications for the Energy Bills Discount Scheme have been approved (and therefore certificates issued).

Energy Bills Discount Scheme: District Heating

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many and what proportion of heat suppliers has her Department taken enforcement action against under the Energy Bills Discount Scheme as of 25 March 2023.

Amanda Solloway: The Office of Product Safety and Standards acts on behalf of the Secretary of State to enforce the scheme. They have taken action against 657 heat network cases.

Energy Bills Discount Scheme: District Heating

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make it her policy to accept retrospective support applications from heat suppliers via the Energy Bills Discount Scheme after 31 March 2024.

Amanda Solloway: For eligible heat networks, the deadline to apply for the scheme was 31 March 2024. The closure of the Energy Bills Discount Scheme for heat networks has been communicated through numerous campaigns, online, and through targeted outreach to suppliers and networks. We also wrote to Members of Parliament who have qualifying heat networks in their constituency, asking them to reach out to the heat network suppliers to inform them of their requirement to apply for the scheme. However, the Department is allowing a two-week grace period following the 31 March 2024 deadline for any newly eligible heat networks to submit an application. Any applications that submitted their application before the deadline, and were eligible on 1 April 2023, will receive support backdated to that date.

Energy Bills Discount Scheme: District Heating

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to help ensure all eligible heat network consumers receive financial support via the Energy Bills Discount Scheme.

Amanda Solloway: The Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) regulations placed a legal duty on heat network suppliers with at least one domestic customer to apply for EBDS Heat Network support, and to pass through any benefit received to the end consumer. The Department has conducted extensive engagement to maximise applications from eligible heat networks, to try and reach as many customers as possible. This included extensive stakeholder communications campaigns and reaching out to all known heat networks on government databases. We also wrote to Members of Parliament who have qualifying heat networks in their constituency, asking them to reach out to the heat network suppliers to inform them of their requirement to apply for the scheme. We have also streamlined the application process to make it easier for heat networks to apply and worked closely with the Office for Product Safety and Standards to initiate enforcement action against known heat networks who have failed to apply.

Solid Fuels: Rural Areas

Martin Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to ensure that rural households that rely on sustainable solid fuels will not experience increases in household bills.

Amanda Solloway: Alternative fuel prices have fallen since winter 2022-23 and while there is no price cap for alternative fuels, households who use solid fuel for heating are still protected by the price cap for their electricity tariff. The Government is currently providing a package of support worth £108 billion, or £3,800 per household on average between 2022 – 2025, which is one of the largest support packages in Europe. The Government is continuing to support households past April 2024, cutting National Insurance contributions, worth £900 to the average worker, increasing benefits by 6.7%, and increasing the National Living Wage.

Energy: Price Caps

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make it her policy to cap energy prices based on the time of day that households use their appliances.

Amanda Solloway: The price cap on default tariffs remains in place. Ofgem are seeking views on how price protections could apply in future, in light of innovations such as time of use tariffs www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/ofgem-launches-discussion-future-price-cap . Alongside this the Government is seeking views on how default tariffs should support households in the future https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/default-energy-tariffs-for-households-call-for-evidence.

Oil: Russia

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate she has made of the amount of jet fuel produced from Russian crude oil purchased by (a) Shell and (b) BP since 2022.

Andrew Bowie: The Department collects and publishes monthly data on the origin of oil cargoes in line with international reporting requirements and the UK’s non-preferential Rules of Origin. National data on imports are published in Energy Trends Table 3.14 and on refinery production in Table 3.12: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/oil-and-oil-products-section-3-energy-trends. Individual company data are commercially sensitive and not published or otherwise made publicly available by the Department.

Oil: Imports

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information his Department holds on oil imported from Indian refineries but originating in Russia to (a) all UK refineries and (b) Grangemouth Refinery.

Andrew Bowie: The Department collects data on the country of origin and country of despatch of every oil cargo arriving in the UK. The definition for country of origin is in line with international reporting requirements and existing UK non-preferential Rules of Origin. This means that oils must be subject to substantial processing requirements as stated in Section 17(3) of the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018. In line with these rules, oil products refined in a third country will be considered as originating from that country. National imports data are published in Energy Trends Table 3.14: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/oil-and-oil-products-section-3-energy-trends. Individual refinery data are commercially sensitive and not published or otherwise made publicly available by the Department.

Oil: Imports

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what checks her Department carries out on oil imported from foreign (a) refineries and (b) states to ensure that it is not from Russia.

Andrew Bowie: The import, acquisition, supply and delivery of Russian oil and oil products into the UK has been banned since 5 December 2022 and His Majesty’s Government continues to support the sanctions on the Russian regime following their invasion of Ukraine. All importers of oil and oil products into the UK must provide proof of origin to enforcement authorities to demonstrate that goods are not of Russian origin. The Department collects data on Country of origin as well as Country of last despatch to ensure oil from Russia is not being diverted through other countries.

Fuel Poverty: Rural Areas

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many rural households were in fuel poverty in (a) each region of England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland as of 22 March 2024.

Amanda Solloway: DESNZ has responsibility for the measurement of fuel poverty in England. The latest estimates of fuel poverty in England are available here:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-statistics Table 5 of the detailed tables shows the number of fuel poor households by rurality in 2023 and Table 6 by region. Due to sample size constraints, it is not possible to provide suitable estimates for rural households in fuel poverty by individual region. Fuel poverty is a devolved matter and different metrics of fuel poverty are used in the Devolved Administrations.